Avery,  A.C. 

History  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches • 


Div.  Sch» 

.175685 

A.95^~ 
H675 
1913 


George  Washington  Flowe?~s 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 

COLONEL  FLOWERS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/historyofpresbytOOaver 


HISTOR 


OF  THE 


AT 


QUAKER  MEADOWS  AND  MORGANTON 

FROM  THE  YEAR  1780  TO  1913 


BY 

A.  C.  AVERY 


MS 


HISTORY  OF  THE 

I 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCHES 

AT 

Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 

FROM  THE  YEAR  1780  TO  1913 


By  HON.  A.  C.  AVERY 


Raleigh 

Edwards  &  Broughton  Printing  Company 
Printers  and  Binders 
1913 


DEDICATION 

To  the  Memory  of 
REV.  E.  B.  ANDERSON 

During  Whose  Pastorate  the  "Writer  Was 
Received  into  the  Eirst  Presbyterian  Church  of 
morganton 

This  Little  Volume  is 
Dedicated 


Judge  Avery  died  at  his  home  at  Morganton,  N".  C,  June  13, 
1913,  in  his  seventy-eighth  year.  He  had  sent  this  book  to  the 
publishers  some  weeks  before,  but  had  not  had  an  opportunity 
to  finish  reading  the  proofs.  At  the  request  of  his  son,  Lenoir 
Avery,  I  have  filled  in  such  omissions  as  I  was  able,  and  I  have 
sought  to  give  the  volume  something  of  a  memorial  character  by 
providing  a  portrait  of  the  Author,  together  with  a  brief  sketch 
of  his  life.  Carey  E.  Gregory. 


PREFACE 

About  twenty  years  ago,  I  was  requested  by  tbe  Session  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  to  join  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Morganton  in  the  effort  to  collect  data  and  prepare 
a  history  of  the  church  at  Quaker  Meadows  from  the  year  1780, 
and  of  that  established  at  Morganton  about  the  year  1820,  up  to 
the  time  of  writing  it. 

The  burning  of  the  records  of  Orange  Presbytery  and  the 
further  fact  that  Concord  Presbytery,  and  the  Synod  of  JSTorth 
Carolina,  were  organized  during  the  last  decade  of  the  Eigh- 
teenth Century  and  that  the  minutes  of  the  Sessions  of  both 
churches  prior  to  1835,  had  also  been  lost  or  destroyed,  at  first 
induced  me  to  despair  of  doing  the  desired  work. 

After  years  of  research  and  inquiry,  the  material  gathered 
from  tradition  and  meagre  records,  grew  to  such  proportions, 
that  the  work  was  undertaken. 

The  history  embraces  sketches  of  each  successive  pastor,  after 
a  short  notice  of  Rev.  James  Templeton,  beginning  with  that  of 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  McKamie  Wilson,  whose  first  work  was  done  at 
Quaker  Meadows  between  1795  and  1801,  and  ending  with  the 
auspicious  labors  of  the  first  year  of  the  present  incumbent. 
The  history  also  contains  biographical  notices  of  all  elders  who 
have  died  in  the  harness  in  either  church  and  of  one  of  the  Rev- 
olutionary Elders,  Captain  Vance,  who  died  at  Reems'  Creek  in 
Buncombe,  as  to  whose  ordination  the  proof  is  not  absolutely 
conclusive.  The  first  four  elders  having  participated  in  the 
battles  of  King's  Mountain,  Ramsaur's  Mill  and  probably  Cow- 
pens  and  Musgrove's  Mill. 

There  will  be  appended  to  the  history  an  alphabetical  list 
of  members  from  the  establishment  of  the  church  at  Quaker 
Meadows,  which  will  prove  a  help  and  a  pleasure  to  persons 
who  are  trying  to  trace  the  genealogy  of  the  old  families  of  the 
county.  As  a  rule  the  name  of  a  lady  will  be  that  first  entered 
on  the  church  roll,  though  she  may  have  been  married  subse- 
quently. 

The  writer   acknowledges   valuable   assistance  from  Elder 


6 


Preface 


John  A.  Dickson  in  getting  the  names  of  old  members,  as  to 
whose  admission  to  the  church  no  record  could  be  found. 

In  making  the  extensive  research  and  inquiry,  which  has 
been  required  to  gather  material  facts,  as  well  as  in  the  tire- 
some clerical  work  incident  to  the  preparation  of  the  history, 
the  services  of  the  writer's  son,  Lenoir  T.  Avery,  have  proven 
indispensable. 

With  the  hope  that  the  old  church  may  prove  to  have  been 
founded  upon  a  rock,  this  is  respectfully  submitted  to  its  mem- 
bers and  to  the  descendants  of  its  founders  in  Burke,  who  have 
become  connected  with  other  branches  of  the  Christian  church. 

A.  C.  Avery. 

Morganton,  K  C,  March  8,  1913. 


HISTORY 

OF  THE 

Presbyterian  Churches  at  Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 
FROM  THE  YEAR  1780  TO  1913 

In  obedience  to  a  resolution  passed  by  the  Session  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  at  Morganton,  the  writer  essays  to  con- 
struct a  history  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Burke  County 
from  the  organization  of  the  first  churches  at  Quaker  Meadows 
and  Pleasant  Gardens  in  about  1780,  to  our  own  time,  from 
very  meagre  material.  In  order  to  insure  that  a  succinct  and 
correct  account  of  the  proceedings  of  its  church  session  shall 
be  kept,  the  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  sessions  of  every 
church  are  required  to  be  written  out  and  signed  by  its  moder- 
ator and  subsequently  revised  and  approved  by  the  moderator 
of  the  Presbytery  to  which  it  belongs. 

Mr.  E.  J.  Erwin,  who  was  the  custodian  of  these  minutes,  left 
a  statement  that  the  record,  which  embraced  the  history  of  the 
churches  at  Quaker  Meadows,  at  Silver  Creek  chapel,  and  at 
Morganton  prior  to  the  year  1835,  was  either  mislaid  or  de- 
stroyed and  that  the  book  beginning  with  1835  was  at  one  time 
mislaid  for  three  years.  So  that  the  history  must  be  gathered 
from  detached  notes  found  in  the  proceedings  of  the  higher 
church  courts  in  North  Carolina  or  in  general  church  history 
such  as  Foote's  "Sketches  of  North  Carolina,"  Foote's  "Sketches 
of  Virginia,"  or  Caruthers'  "Life  of  Caldwell,"  or  from  tradition 
that  has  been  kept  alive  in  the  families  of  leading  Presbyterians 
who  composed  the  first  settlers  of  the  county.  Eesorting  to 
these  sources  the  writer  finds  that  the  early  records  of  Orange 
Presbytery  were  destroyed  more  than  a  century  and  a  half  ago, 
and  that  the  traditions  of  the  early  elders  who  were  scattered 
throughout  the  central,  southern  and  western  sections  of  the 
county  have  been  handed  down,  if  at  all,  to  descendants  now 
connected  with  other  religious  organizations  who  have  been  so 
aggressive  in  their  work  as  to  bring  churches  to  their  own 


s 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


doors.  Rivalry  amongst  the  churches  is  natural  if  not  com- 
mendable, and  our  church  cannot  expect  members  of  other  de- 
nominations to  preserve  its  nistory,  even  where  that  history 
commemorates  the  activities  of  their  own  ancestors. 

Burke  County  was  not  established  till  1777.  The  French- 
Indian  War  lasted  from  1753  to  1760.  But  the  portion  of 
Rowan  which  was  afterwards  Burke  County  lying  around  Mor- 
ganton  was  not  considered  a  safe  place  of  abode  until  about  the 
year  1763,  when  the  advance  guard  of  the  pioneer  German  set- 
tlers in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  and  Scotch-Irish  settlers 
in  the  western  part,  from  Morganton  to  the  mountains,  began  to 
rush  in  and  enter  the  choice  land.  Even  then  the  hills  were  still 
studded  with  forts,  kept  in  readiness  as  place's  of  refuge  in  case 
of  an  Indian  incursion.  One  of  these  forts  was  erected  upon  the 
hill  on  the  right  as  one  entered  Fleming's  Ford  from  the  north- 
west and  was  ready  for  occupancy  by  families  living  on  John's 
River  and  Upper  and  Irish  creeks.  The  last  of  these  Indian 
raids  was  as  late  as  1777  and  the  line  of  incursion  was  made 
memorable  by  the  tales  of  cruelty  visited  upon  many  families. 

History  and  tradition  leave  a  blank  where  we  would  expect 
to  hear  of  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  from  the  first  settlement 
of  this  section  until  after  the  county  and  county-seat  were  lo- 
cated in  1777.  The  records  of  Orange  Presbytery,  if  they  had 
not  been  destroyed,  would  probably  have  shown  who,  among 
the  great  leaders  of  the  church  at  that  time,  such  as  Rev.  Henry 
Patillo,  David  Caldwell,  Samuel  McCorkle  and  James  McRee 
were  ordered  to  labor  for  specified  periods  in  this  newly  acquired 
wilderness,  or  it  may  have  been  that  mission  work  was  done 
here  under  the  direction  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina 
or  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon.  A  note  in  Caruthers'  "Life  of 
Caldwell"  (at  page  250)  throws  the  first  light  upon  the  his- 
tory of  this  church  in  stating  that  Rev.  James  Templeton  rep- 
resented the  churches  at  Quaker  Meadows  and  Pleasant  Gar- 
dens at  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  April  2,  1784.  We  are  left 
to  conjecture  as  to  when,  he  undertook  the  work  or  how  long  he 
labored  at  these  churches.  The  Quaker  Meadows  church  of 
that  day  was  built  about  where  the  church  stands  today,  and  a 
portion  of  it  was  still  standing,  unfit  for  occupancy,  within  the 


1  -  '  »T—7—    —J  Mnwimton  9 

memory  of  the  writer.  The  church  at  Pleasant  Gardens  must 
have  been  a  name  without  a  local  habitation,  or  it  was  the 
church  established  in  the  Greenlee  settlement  on  the  Upper 
Catawba,  whose  organization .  ha£  continued  up  to  the  present 
time.  The  Presbyterian  churches  of  Quaker  Meadows  and 
Pleasant  Gardens  were  the  oldest  church  structures  in  the  ter- 
ritory lying  between  Powan  County  and  the  Tennessee  line, 
except  the  old  Lutheran  "Little  John"  church  which  was  built 
a  few  years  before  either  of  them. 

The  history  of  churches  is  largely  composed  of  sketches  of 
the  characters  and  accounts  of  the  religious  work  of  its  succes- 
sive pastors.  On  page  105  of  Foote's  "Sketches  of  Virginia"  it 
appears  that  Pev.  James  Templeton  was  received  by  Hanover 
Presbytery  as  a  candidate  at  Timber  Ridge,  April  16,  1775,  and 
that  he  was  a  graduate  of  Nassau  Hall,  bringing  recommenda- 
tions from  Dr.  Witherspoon.  It  further  appears  that  he  was 
licensed  at  the  house  of  John  Morrison  on  Pockfish,  October 
26,  1775,  and  soon  removed  to  South  Carolina. 

On  page  250  of  the  "Life  of  Pev.  David  Caldwell"  by  Pev. 
E.  M.  Caruthers,  is  printed  as  a  note,  a  statistical  report  of 
the  names  and  churches  of  Orange  Presbytery,  showing  that 
James  Templeton  was  the  minister  of  Quaker  Meadows  church 
April  2,  1784,  and  that  the  church  was  then  in  that  Presbytery. 
On  page  281  of  Poote's  "Sketches  of  North  Carolina"  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  in  May, 
1788,  with  a  view  to  constituting  a  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterians  of  the  United  States  created  the  new  synod  of  the 
Carolinas  composed  of  the  Presbyteries  of  North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina,  and  Abingdon,  the  last  being  principally  in 
Tennessee  in  the  Watauga  settlement.  James  Templeton  was 
still  minister  and  member  of  Orange  Presbytery  in  1788.  The 
first  meeting  of  the  new  synod  was  held  at  Center  church  in 
the  State  of  North  Carolina  November  5,  1788  (see  Foote's 
"Sketches  of  North  Carolina,"  page  282).  When  the  Synod 
met  James  Templeton  was  recorded  as  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  South  Carolina. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  held  at  Thyatira  (in  Powan 
County)  October  5,  1791,  James  Templeton  was  appointed  as 


10 


Preshytevifw  Fhurnhps  n* 


one  of  the  ministers  and  elders  composing  a  standing  commis- 
sion of  Synod.  Amongst  the  elders  appointed  was  John  Mc- 
Knitt  Alexander  and  the  ministers  were  Rev.  Samuel  McCorkle, 
Rev.  James  Hall  and  others.  •  At  the  same  meeting  the  Synod 
appointed  four  missionaries  to  act  in  the  destitute  regions  on 
both  sides  of  the  Alleghanies.  The  commission  was  to  direct 
their  movements  during  the  recess  of  synod  and  their  "support 
was  priced  at  two  hundred  dollars  annually."  It  was  made  their 
duty  to  ascertain  and  report  "who  of  the  families  they  visited 
wished  to  receive  the  gospel  from  the  Presbyterians."  The  per- 
sons appointed  were  James  Templeton  and  Robert  Hall  of 
South  Carolina  Presbytery  and  Robert  Archbold  with  licen- 
tiate John  Bowman  of  the  Presbytery  of  Orange.  On  October 
5,  1792  (see  Foote's  "Sketches  of  North  Carolina,"  pages  286 
and  287)  it  appears  that  the  commission  sent  Templeton  with 
Robert  Hall  to  do  mission  work  in  lower  South  Carolina 
and  Georgia.  At  Sugar  Creek  October  2,  1793,  James  Temple- 
ton was  chosen  moderator  of  Synod.  October  1,  1795,  James 
Templeton  was  again  moderator  of  Synod  which  met  at  New 
Providence.  At  this  meeting  John  McK.  Wilson  reported  a 
missionary  tour  of  the  lower  part  of  North  Carolina. 

At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1794,  it  appears  (Foote's 
"Sketches  of  North  Carolina,"  page  200)  that  for  some  reason 
James  Templeton,  moderator,  was  absent  and  Samuel  C.  Cald- 
well opened  Synod  with  a  sermon,  whereupon  Rev.  James  Hall 
was  chosen  moderator.  With  this  entry  James  Templeton  is 
not  mentioned. 

Rev.  John  McKamie  Wilson. 

Rev.  John  McK.  Wilson  was  the  son  of  an  Englishman  who 
settled  and  married  in  Mecklenburg  County.  John  McK.  was 
born  in  that  county  in  the  year  1769.  After  his  father's  death 
and  in  his  boyhood  his  mother  was  left  a  widow  and  the  Widow 
Wilson  took  into  her  home  for  a  time  the  Widow  Jackson,  with 
her  young  son,  Andrew  Jackson,  afterwards  President  of  the 
United  States  (Foote's  "Sketches,"  page  476).  John  McK. 
Wilson  was  educated  at  the  school  of  Rev.  James  Hall  of 
Rowan  County.  Rev.  James  Hall  was  one  of  the  foremost  citi- 
zens of  Western  North  Carolina.    He  served  as  captain  of  a 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


11 


company  during  the  War  of  the  Kevolution  and  continued  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  soldiers  in  the  field.  After  our  in- 
dependence had  been  won  he  founded  a  school  in  Iredell  County 
(then  Rowan)  at  which  scores  of  men  afterwards  prominent  as 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  as  politicians,  and  as  business  men,  re- 
ceived their  education.  The  names  of  a  number  of  prominent 
men  instructed  by  him,  including  that  of  J.  M.  Wilson,  are 
given  by  Foote  (see  "Sketches,"  pages  330-331). 

Mr.  Wilson  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Orange,  then 
embracing  nearly  the  whole  State  of  North  Carolina,  in  1793. 
Concord  Presbytery  was  formed  of  territory  in  the  western  part 
of  Orange  Presbytery,  October  1,  1795.  Prior  to  the  formation 
of  the  new  Presbytery,  Mr.  Wilson  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
Quaker  Meadows  church,  about  the  year  1795  (Foote's 
"Sketches,"  page  478),  after  having  served  as  a  missionary  in 
the  lower  counties  of  North  Carolina  for  some  time.  Foote 
says  (at  page  479)  :  "While  resident  in  Burke  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Erwin,  the  daughter  of  Alexander 
Erwin.of  that  county,  and  found  in  her  an  amiable,  pious,  and 
intelligent  companion  and  pastor's  wife  for  more  than  thirty 
years.  He  survived  her  about  five  years."  She  was  known  as 
"Pretty  Polly  Wilson."  Mr.  Wilson  served  the  churches  at 
Quaker  Meadows  till  the  year  1801,  when  he  removed  to  Rocky 
River  church,  then  in  Mecklenburg  County,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  He  is  reported  in  the  minutes  of  Synod 
(Foote's  "Sketches,"  page  302)  as  representing  Morganton  and 
Quaker  Meadows  churches  at  Hopewell  church,  October  31, 
1799.  This  is  the  first  mention  we  find  of  Morganton  church, 
but  no  record  has  been  preserved  by  the  Session  of  the  church 
showing  precisely  when  a  congregation  distinct  from  that  at 
Quaker  Meadows  was  formed  in  the  town.  The  records  of  Con- 
cord Presbytery  show  that  the  pulpits  of  Quaker  Meadows  and 
Pleasant  Gardens  were  supplied  by  occasional  visits  of  ministers 
from  1801  till  the  Quaker  Meadows  congregation  called  Rev. 
Chauncey  Eddy,  except  that  at  a  meeting  at  Hopewell  church 
in  1819  and  at  Steele  Creek  in  1820,  Presbytery  provided  for 
preaching  at  Morganton. 

After  Mr.  Wilson's  removal  to  Mecklenburg,  he  established 


12 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


a  school  near  Rocky  Eiver  church  and  followed  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  preceptor,  Dr.  Hall,  in  preparing  young  men  for  coliege 
and,  in  some  instances  at  least,  in  instructing  candidates  for 
the  ministry  in  theology.  Among  his  students  were  Revs.  Rob- 
ert Hall  Morrison  of  North  Carolina  and  James  Morrison  of 
Virginia.  The  late  Dr.  Samuel  Tate  of  Morganton  was  a 
nephew  of  Mrs.  Wilson  and  received  his  early  education  at 
that  school.  Few  men  have  made  a  more  lasting  impression 
for  good  on  the  people  of  Western  Worth  Carolina  than  Mr. 
Wilson. 

Among  his  children  were  Rev.  Alexander  Wilson  who  went 
out  as  a  missionary  and  died  in  the  wilds  of  Africa,  Hon.  J. 
Harvey  Wilson,  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  Charlotte,  and  Rev. 
John  M.  Wilson,  who  will  be  mentioned  later  as  one  of  the  pas- 
tors of  the  church  at  Morganton.  Rev.  J.  M.  Wilson,  Sr., 
lived,  during  his  pastorate  at  Quaker  Meadows,  at  a  place  known 
as  the  Wilson  Old  Fields,  between  the  residence  of  the  late 
Joseph  Erwin,  now  occunpied  by  his  daughters,  and  Quaker 
Meadows. 

The  Chuech  at  Silver  Creek. 

The  records  do  not  show  when  this  church  was  built  and 
when  the  congregation  was  organized.  We  know  from  the  rec- 
ords that  among  its  resident  elders  was  Thomas  JSTeil,  and  its 
deacons,  John  McElrath.  Whether  Dr.  J.  M.  Wilson  sup- 
plied it  is  not  shown  by  any  minutes  of  a  church  session  in 
existence  nor  by  the  minutes  of  Concord  Presbytery.  From  the 
information  accessible  we  conclude  that  the  church  at  Quaker 
Meadows  was  the  only  distinct  congregation  till  about  1819 
at  the  earliest;  but  that  while  a  church  had  been  built  on  the 
Dysartville  road  called  Silver  Creek,  and  services  were  held  at 
stated  intervals  there,  the  congregation  was  a  part  of  the  con- 
gregation at  Morganton,  all  of  the  elders  constituting  one  Ses- 
sion. 

There  was  a  long  interim  between  the  time  when  the  old 
church  at  Quaker  Meadows  became  unfit  for  occupancy  and  the 
time  when  the  present  church  was  built  at  Quaker  Meadows 
somewhere  about  the  year  1852  or  1853.  After  that  church  was 
rebuilt  however,  the  Presbyterians  in  the  vicinity,  while  they 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  13 


met  and  worshiped  there  when  the  pulpit  was  supplied,  were 
until  late  years  members  of  the  Morganton  congregation. 

The  elders  and  most  active  male  members  of  the  first  congre- 
gation at  Quaker  Meadows  were  Robert  Penland  (who  was 
remembered  by  the  old  people  thirty  years  ago  and  affection- 
ately calied  "Father  Penland")  and  John  Duckworth.  Robert 
Penland  ard  Samuel  Alexander,  who  married  his  daughter,  were 
both  ancestors  of  Mrs.  Presnell,  Mrs.  Harrison  Galloway  and 
Mrs.  William  Harbison.  Robert  Penland  was  the  grandfather 
of  the  late  Milton  Penland  of  Asheville,  and  Robert  Penland 
of  Bakersville  and  the  great  grandfather  of  Judge  G.  S.  Fergu- 
son. 

Samuel  Alexander,  who  was  ordained  a  few  years  later,  was 
the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Hugh  Howard  and  of  Vance  (father 
of  E.  D.  Alexander)  and  Davis  Alexander  and  of  Mrs.  Cornelia 
Avery  and  her  sister  Mrs.  Carter.  He  made  an  impression  for 
good  that  is  perceptible  to  this  day  in  the  character  and  conduct 
of  his  descendants.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  and 
won  distinction  at  King's  Mountain.  He  died  at  a  ripe  old 
age,  April  26,  1842.  John  Duckworth  was  next  ordained  an 
elder.  He  was  wounded  at  Ramsaur's  Mill  and  fought  at 
King's  Mountain  before  his  wound  was  healed.  The  ball  was 
extracted  from  his  side  by  Dr.  Shuffling  late  in  life  and  was 
exhibited  by  Governor  Morehead  with  some  effect  in  one  of  his 
Whig  speeches  in  1842.  John  Duckworth  survived  all  of  his 
comrades  in  arms.  A  note  in  the  record  of  the  Morganton 
church  fixes  the  date  of  his  death  November  7,  1843.  He  has 
many  descendants  now  living  in  Burke  County. 

More  extended  notices  of  the  early  officers  and  members  of 
Quaker  Meadows  church  will  be  given  in  connection  with  the 
appended  list  of  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Burke 
County. 

The  writer  has  satisfied  himself  that  no  Presbyterian  church 
was  organized  in  Morganton  before  the  year  1819  and  possibly 
not  before  Rev.  Chauncey  Eddy  was  called  by  Quaker  Meadows 
church  in  1824. 


14 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Rev.  Chauncey  Eddy. 

Mr.  Eddy  was  living  at  Morganton  in  April,  1824.  He  was 
recalled  by  its  citizens  of  the  past  generation  as  a  polished 
gentleman,  and  accomplished  scholar  and  gifted  instructor. 
Beginning  with  a  meeting  of  Concord  Presbytery  at  Charlotte, 
April  7,  1824,  we  find  the  following  entries  on  the  minutes  : 

A  communication  was  introduced  by  Mr.  Chauncey  Eddy, 
late  a  licentiate  under  the  direction  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lon- 
donderry, certifying  his  dismission  from  that  Presbytery,  and 
recommending  him  to  this  body.  He,  having  expressed  his  wish 
to  be  taken  under  the  care  and  direction  of  this  Presbytery,  was 
accordingly  received.  It  was  suggested  by  a  member  that  it 
might  contribute  much  to  the  interest  of  that  section  of  country 
where  Mr.  Eddy  at  present  resides  that  he  receive  ordination 
as  an  evangelist.  This  subject  was  at  some  length  discussed 
and  postponed  for  further  consideration  on  tomorrow  morning. 

April  7th. 

The  subject  respecting  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Eddy  was  again 
taken  into  consideration  and  it  was  resolved  that  it  is  expedient 
to  ordain  Mr.  Eddy  as  an  evangelist  and  that  the  Presbytery 
meet  at  Morganton  on  the  last  Eriday  in  this  month  for  that 
purpose.  That  Mr.  Eddy  prepare  for  delivery  a  sermon  on 
John  3  :23  and  for  examination  a  lecture  on  Acts  16th  chapter, 
from  the  25th  to  31st  verses  inclusive,  as  usual  in  that  case. 
That  Rev.  Henry  M.  Kerr  preach  the  ordination  sermon  and 
the  Rev.  J oseph  S.  Kilpatrick  preside  and  give  the  charges. 

Morganton,  April  30,  1824. 

Present:  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Kilpatrick,  Henry  W.  Kerr,  Joseph 
E.  Bell,  John  M.  Erwin,  and  Elder  fm.  Erwin. 

Mr.  Chauncey  Eddy  delivered  a  popular  sermon  on  the  text 
assigned  him  and  a  lecture  on  Acts  16th  chapter,  from  25th  to 
the  31st  verses  inclusive,  both  of  which  were  considered  and 
sustained. 

Mr.  Eddy  was  then  examined  on  experimental  religion  and 
on  all  those  things  upon  which  candidates  for  ordination  are 
usually  examined.  The  Presbytery  sustained  all  the  parts  of 
his  trial  and  express  their  highest  approbation  of  the  same  by 
stating  that  in  all  things  touching  his  examination  Mr.  Eddy 
gave  full  satisfaction.  Resolved  unanimously  that  on  tomor- 
row Mr.  Eddy  be  ordained  to  the  whole  of  the  Gospel  Ministry. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


15 


May  1. 

The  Kev.  Henry  M.  Kerr  as  directed  at  our  last  meeting 
pieached  the  ordination  sermon  from  I  Tim.  3  :1 — "This  is  a 
trie  saying  if  a  man  desire  the  office  of  a  bishop,  he  desires  a 
gool  work."  After  which  Mr.  Eddy  was  ordained  to  the  whole 
of  Ue  Gospel  Ministry  by  prayer  and  the  laying  on  of  the 
handii  of  the  Presbytery,  and  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  was 
given  him  according  to  discipline.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Kilpatrick 
preside?  and  gave  the  charge  to  the  newly  ordained  bishop  and 
an  exhoitation  to  the  congregation.  Adjourned. 

Bethel  Church,  September  8,  1824:  Mr.  Eddy  tardy  and  al- 
lowed to  supply  churches  at  discretion. 

Bethany  Church,  April  7,  1825 :  John  Duckworth,  elder  rep- 
resenting Moiganton  church;  Rev.  Chauncey  Eddy  absent. 

Prospect  Church,  June  8,  1825 :  Chauncey  Eddy  absent. 

Unity  Church  (Rowan),  July  15,  1825 :  Eddy  not  reported. 

Unity  (Lincoln),  September  1,  1825 :  Elder  John  Duckworth 
represented  Morgaaton.    Rev.  Eddy  absent. 

Kev.  John  Silliman. 
The  successor  of  Mr.  Eddy  was  Rev.  John  Silliman  of  whom 
the  writer  knows  something  by  tradition.   He  can  best  be  intro- 
duced by  the  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  Presbytery  : 

Unity  (Lincoln),  September  23,  1825. 

Whereas,  the  Rev.  Chauncey  Eddy  has  left  the  congregation 
of  Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton ;  and  although  he  has  taken 
no  dismission  these  churches  are  vacant,  and 

Whereas,  the  delay  of  Mr.  Jno.  Silliman's  dismission  has  pre- 
vented him  from  being  received  as  a  licentiate  under  our  care, 
till  the  present  sessions,  and  likewise  has  prevented  the  people  of 
Morganton  from  preparing  a  call  for  Mr.  Silliman  to  minister 
to  them,  and 

Whereas,  an  elder  from  Morganton  stated  that  for  want  of  an 
ordained  minister  of  their  own  the  people  are  leaving  that 
church,  and  joining  other  denominations,  and  further  stated 
that  the  people  are  extremely  desirous  that  Mr.  Silliman  should 
be  ordained  and  become  their  minister  ;  and  that  there  is  no 
doubt  but  that  a  call  will  be  presented  as  soon  as  one  can  be 
drawn. 

Therefore  the  Presbytery  after  mature  deliberation,  with 
sympathy  for  the  destitute  and  suffering  church  at  Morganton, 


16 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


do  urge  that  Mr.  Silliman  be  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor 
of  Morganton,  or  as  an  evangelist  as  may  appear  to  their 
proper,  when  the  Presbytery  meets  at  Morganton. 

Resolved,  that  Presbytery  meet  at  Morganton  on  the  Friday 
before  the  second  Sabbath  of  November  next  for  the  ordinaAon 
of  Mr.  Silliman,  and  for  any  other  business  that  may  comi  be- 
fore them;  that  the  Kev.  Joseph  E.  Bell  preach  the  ordiration 
sermon,  and  that  the  Kev.  James  Stafford  be  his  alternate ;  that 
the  Kev.  Jno.  M.  Erwin  preside  and  give  the  charge  and  that 
the  Kev.  Daniel  Gould  be  his  alternate, 

Ordered,  that  Mr.  Silliman  prepare  a  sermon  on  Hark,  1st 
chapter  and  15th  verse,  latter  clause,  and  a  popular  lecture  on 
I  Cor.  15th  chapter,  and  1st  to  11th  verses,  inclusive,  for  ex- 
amination as  directed  in  our  discipline. 

Morganton,  November  11,  1825. 

Eddy  absent  (a  call  from  the  congregation  of  Morganton  for 
the  whole  of  the  ministerial  labors  of  Mr.  John  Silliman  was 
presented  and  read.) 

(The  call  from  the  congregation  of  Morganton  was  next 
taken  up.  After  duly  considering  the  call  it  was  presented  to 
and  accepted  by  Mr.  Silliman.) 

Presbytery  then  proceeded  according  to  the  book  of  discipline 
in  the  examination  of  Mr.  Silliman  now  a  candidate  for  ordi- 
nation. He  was  examined  on  experimental  religion  and  his 
views  and  motives  for  entering  the  Holy  Ministry.  Being  satis- 
fied with  the  examination  Presbytery  then  proceeded  to  take 
the  different  parts  of  trial  usually  required  of  candidates  in 
such  cases. 

Morganton,  November  12. 

Mr.  Silliman  delivered  a  sermon  from  Mark  1 :15,  last  clause, 
and  a  popular  lecture  from  I  Corinthians,  15th  chapter,  1st 
to  11th  verses,  inclusive.  These  parts  of  trial  were  sustained. 
Mr.  Bell  appears.  Proceeded  in  the  examination  of  the  can- 
didate on  Theology. 

All  these  parts  of  trial  sustained,  Mr.  Silliman  having  gone 
through  the  requisite  trial  and  examination  preparatory  to  ordi- 
nation, and  Presbytery  being  satisfied  with  his  preparation  for 
entering  upon  the  discharge  of  all  the  duties  of  the  Holy  Min- 
stry;  therefore  resolved  that  the  Presbytery  proceed  to  his 
ordination. 

The  candidate  and  congregation  being  answered  in  the  affirm- 
ative the  usual  questions,  and  make  the  requisite  promises  by 
solemn  prayer  and  the  laying  on  of  hands  of  the  Presbytery, 
Mr.  John  Silliman  was  set  apart  and  ordained  to  the  whole  of 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


17 


the  Gospel  Ministry  and  by  prayer  and  solemn  charge  installed 
pastor  of  the  congregation  at  Morganton.  The  Rev.  John  M. 
Erwin  offered  up  the  ordination  prayer  and  gave  the  charge  to 
the  newly  ordained  bishop.  The  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Kilpatrick 
followed  with  a  charge  to  the  congregation. 

The  writer  files  with  the  records  of  the  Session,  a  number 
of  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  Concord  Presbytery,  extending 
up  to  the  year  1830.  (Also  list  from  1830  to  1890).  From 
these  extracts  it  appears  that  Rev.  J ohn  Silliman  took  an  active 
part  in  the  proceedings  of  Presbytery  and  a  number  of  times 
presided  at  meetings  of  that  body. 

The  Eddy  and  Silliman  School  in  Morganton. 

True  to  their  history  as  the  pioneers  in  classical  education, 
the  Scotch-Irish  settlers  in  Burke  County  established,  under  the 
accomplished  scholar  Mr.  Eddy,  who  came  direct  from  Lon- 
donderry, the  first  high  school  founded  in  Burke  County,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  a  school  where  J.  McKamie  Wilson  taught  the 
chldren  of  his  congregation,  near  his  home  on  the  old  Alexander 
Erwin  place.  When  Mr.  Eddy  gave  way  to  Mr.  Silliman,  this 
school  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Silliman,  (who,  as  has  already 
been  mentioned,  succeeded  Mr.  Eddy),  with  the  assistance  of 
Mr.  Silliman's  wife,  who  was  herself  a  ripe  scholar.  Under  the 
pastorate  of  Mr.  Eddy,  the  old  brick  church,  built  on  the  foun- 
dation of  the  present  church  and  constituting  a  part  of  it,  was 
erected,  as  was  the  old  brick  academy,  which  stood  upon  what 
was  afterwards  the  Wilson  lot,  opposite  to  the  Episcopal 
church.  This  old  Presbyterian  church  was  the  only  church  in 
Morganton  for  about  twenty  years,  during  which  time  the  Bap- 
tists and  Methodists  were  permitted  to  preach  in  it  while  the 
Episcopalians  held  their  services  in  the  courthouse. 

The  daughters  of  leading  citizens  of  the  western  part  of 
Burke  County  (which,  then,  was  bounded  on  the  northwest  by 
the  Tennessee  line,  and  on  the  southwest  by  the  line  of  Bun- 
combe County),  or  many  of  them,  were  educated  at  this  school. 
The  ladies  of  the  Brown  family,  including  Mrs.  James  Avery, 
Mrs.  William  Murphy,  and  Mrs.  Ephraim  Greenlee,  as  well  as 
the  ladies  of  the  Burgin,  Carson,  and  Whitson  families,  and 


18 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


perhaps  some  of  the  Greenlees,  who  were  not  sent  to  Virginia 
schools,  were  pupils  at  the  Morganton  Academy.  Nearly  all 
of  the  boys  and  girls  who  resided  in  and  around  Morganton  at 
the  time,  were  beneficiaries  of  this  institution.  Among  them 
were  Miss  Cecilia  Erwin,  Mrs.  Delia  Erwin  Hardy,  Miss  Mary 
Presnell  (afterwards  Mrs.  Logan  Carson),  several  young  ladies 
of  the  Tate  family,  and  others. 

Mr.  Silliman  owned  the  farm  on  Silver  Creek,  afterwards 
owned  by  old  Mr.  John  Caldwell  and  his  son,  Governor  Tod  R. 
Caldwell,  which  was  known  as  the  Silliman  place  and  is  now 

occupied  by   Mr.  Silliman  overlooked 

the  cultivation  of  his  farm  and  left  the  management  of  the 
school  largely  to  Mrs.  Silliman,  who  was  a  trained  teacher  and 
a  ripe  scholar,  coming  into  town  every  morning  during  the  ses- 
sions of  school  to  assist  her. 

This  school  was  continued  by  Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan,  who 
succeeded  Mr.  Silliman,  and  the  history  of  whose  pastorate  will 
be  given  later. 

The  Old  Presbyterian  Camp-meetings 

Few  of  the  staid,  dignified  Presbyterians  of  today  who  live  in 
apprehension  of  the  traveling  evangelist's  method  of  conduct- 
ing service,  are  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  old  fashioned  camp 
ground  with  its  log  tents  and  brush  arbors,  was  the  conception 
of  the  early  founders  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  county, 
and  that  their  ancestors  looked  forward  with  pleasure  to  the 
enjoyment  of  a  refreshing  season  at  the  annual  meetings. 

Silver  Creek  camp-ground  was  probably  established  as  far 
back  as  the  last  years  of  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  McKamie  Wil- 
son, in  the  midst  of  a  nest  of  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  com- 
posed of  such  families  as  the  McElraths,  Harbisons,  O'Neils, 
Rosses,  Gradys,  Butlers,  Morrisons,  and  Tates.  They  con- 
tinued to  hold  yearly  meetings  there  until  the  fall  of  1844, 
when  the  meeting  closed  with  the  great  freshet  of  +hat  year. 
As  the  writer  recalls  the  appearance  of  the  ground,  there  were 
long  rows  of  log-pole  cabins  extending  around  the  east,  north 
and  west  of  the  long  parallelogram  on  which  the  arbor  was 
erected  with  long  rows  of  log  seats  extending  to  the  preacher's 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


19 


stand  on  the  south.  Many  of  the  farmers  had  two  cabins  of 
good  size,  and  a  cooking  shed  or  cabin  for  cooking  was  erected 
back  of  the  camping  place  of  every  family. 

Ministers  came  from  as  far  east  and  south  as  Salisbury  and 
Charlotte  to  minister  to  the  scattered  members,  often  living  re- 
mote from  churches,  who  erected  tents  in  order  to  enjoy  preach- 
ing for  a  week. 

Probably,  in  the  early  part  of  the  century,  Rev.  J.  McKamie 
Wilson  came  back  yearly  to  look  after  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
his  old  friends.  It  is  certain  that,  at  a  later  day,  Dr.  R.  H. 
Morrison,  Dr.  Henry  Pharr  (known  as  the  High  Priest),  Dr. 
Penick,  and  others  were  welcomed  almost  every  year  by  the  peo- 
ple who  attended  these  meetings.  The  writer  recalls  the  fact 
that  when  his  mother  reached  the  river  on  her  way  home  from 
the  meeting  of  1844  his  father  had  her  and  her  small  children 
brought  across  the  swollen  Catawba  in  a  large  canoe. 

The  last  Presbyterian  camp-meeting  was  held  at  Quaker 
Meadows  about  the  fall  of  1852  or  1853.  Rev.  W.  C.  Sheets, 
pastor,  and  elder  E.  J.  Erwin  built  log  tents  there  at  that  time. 
The  only  other  camping  place  was  a  very  large  wall  tent  put 
up  there  by  the  writer's  father.  About  that  time  a  new  log 
church  was  erected  there  in  place  of  the  old  church  built  there 
in  the  previous  century,  which  was  no  longer  fit  for  use.  One 
of  the  cabins  erected  by  Elder  E.  J.  Erwin  was  converted  into 
a  schoolhouse  by  adding  a  chimney,  and  Mrs.  R.  K.  Presnell 
and  her  contemporaries  in  the  neighborhood  were  taught  there. 

The  Methodist  camp  grounds  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ches- 
terfield in  Burke  County  and  Nebo  and  Crooked  Creek  in  Mc- 
Dowell County,  were  established  many  years  later  than  the 
Presbyterian  camping  places,  as  was  the  camp  ground  at  Mar- 
vin. The  splendid  organization  and  the  active  and  earnest 
work  of  the  followers  of  Wesley,  bore  fruit  in  the  building  of 
churches  and  organization  of  congregations  throughout  the 
rural  districts  of  Burke  County  in  a  few  decades  after  they 
sent  their  circuit  riders  into  its  borders. 


20 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Further  Notice  of  the  Labors  of  Rev.  John  Silliman, 
Gathered  From  the  Minutes  of  Concord  and  Morganton 
Presbyteries  After  the  Year  1830. 

On  October  7,  1830,  Rev.  John  Silliman  and  Elder  A.  L.  Er- 
win  represented  the  church  of  Morganton,  and  at  this  meeting 
a  report  of  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Thomas  Espy  was  made. 
Mr.  Espy  subsequently  married  Miss  Tate,  a  grand- 

daughter of  Captain  Bowman  who  was  mortally  wounded  at 
Ramsaur's  Mill,  and  Grace  Greenlee  Bowman,  whose  fame  is 
perpetuated  by  a  sketch  of  her  in  "The  Women  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution."  The  only  child  of  this  marriage  of  Mr.  Espy 
was  Harriet  Espy,  the  first  wife  of  Governor  Zebulon  B.  Yance. 
Mr.  Espy  and  his  wife  both  died  early  leaving  their  only  daugh- 
ter to  be  reared  by  Captain  Charles  McDowell. 

Mr.  Silliman  continued  to  be  an  active  and  prominent  worker 
in  the  church,  often  presiding  at  the  meetings  of  Presbytery  and 
being  frequently  assigned  to  supply  neighboring  destitute 
churches  like  Drusilla,  which  is  located  near  Dysartville,  in  Mc- 
Dowell County;  and  at  the  meeting  at  Unity  in  the  fall  of  1831, 
where  the  Morganton  church  was  represented  by  him  and  Elder 
Alfred  Perkins,  he  was  charged  with  the  duty  of  supplying  the 
church  at  Siloam,  which  seems  to  have  been  called,  before  the 
year  1800,  Pleasant  Gardens  church. 

At  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Statesville  in  1831,  October 
6th,  notice  was  given  of  the  death  of  Rev.  John  McKamie  Wil- 
son and  appropriate  resolutions  were  passed,  and  recorded  in 
the  minutes.  Again  Mr.  Silliman  was  appointed  to  preach 
one  sermon  at  Siloam. 

Mr.  Silliman  continued  punctual  in  his  attendance  upon  the 
sessions  of  Presbytery,  generally  accompanied  by  Elder  Alfred 
Perkins  until  March  12,  1835,  at  the  meeting  at  Prospect 
church,  when  the  following  minute  is  found  in  the  proceed- 
ings : 

A  letter  was  received  from  the  Rev.  John  Silliman  assigning 
satisfactory  .reasons  for  his  absence  from  the  present  Sessions 
of  Presbytery;  and  also  requesting  the  dissolution  of  the  pas- 
toral relation  between  him  and  the  church  at  Morganton;  and 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


Mr.  Perkins,  elder  from  Morganton,  testifying  to  Presbytery 
the  consent  of  the  church  to  Mr.  Silliman's  request,  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  the  pastoral  relation  between  the  Rev.  John 
Silliman  and  the  church  in  Morganton  be  and  the  same  hereby 
is  dissolved  and  that  church  declared  vacant. 

The  minutes  of  Morganton  Presbytery  show  that  Mr.  Silli- 
man acted  as  moderator  at  two  successive  meetings  of  the  Pres- 
bytery and  preached  the  opening  sermon.  At  a  meeting  at 
Asheville,  August  17,  1836,  Mr.  Silliman's  request  to  be  dis- 
missed to  Kaskaskia  Presbytery  was  granted. 

Accessions  to  the  church  during  the  pastorate  of  Pev.  John 
Silliman. — Miss  Matilda  Erwin  is  the  only  name  we  have,  in 
the  absence  of  record. 

The  Old  Church  Used  as  Auditorium  for  Political  Dis- 
cussions. 

The  modern  member-  of  our  church,  who  considers  cleanli- 
ness next  to  godliness,  both  in  person  and  habitation — who  feels 
a  pardonable  pride  in  the  neatness  and  tidiness  of  our  floors, 
seats  and  carpets,  and  admires  the  beautiful  decorations  of  our 
walls,  would  be  shocked  at  the  thought  of  desecrating  our 
church  by  the  use  of  tobacco  and  the  defilement  of  muddy  feet. 
Yet,  from  the  time  when  the  old  Presbyterian  church  was  fin- 
ished, until  the  stone  courthouse  was  completed  in  about  the 
year  1835,  there  was  no  other  building  that  would  accommodate 
an  audience  of  large  size,  and  it  was  thrown  open  for  gather- 
ings of  all  kinds.  It  was  not  uncommon  in  those  days,  to  see 
the  front  of  the  pulpit  covered  with  a  string  of  pitchers  filled 
with  toddies  or  bottles  full  of  strong  drink  for  the  use.  of  speak- 
ers. A  specimen  gathering  of  this  sort,  called  to  condemn  the 
course  in  Congress  of  Colonel  Samuel  P.  Carson,  was,  some 
years  ago,  described  in  an  article  in  reference  to  Colonel  Carson, 
which  was,  in  part,  as  follows : 

An  illustration  of  his  power  as  a  public  speaker  is  found  in 
the  old  story  of  his  capturing  a  crowd  called  together  at  Mor- 
ganton, early  in  the  year  1833,  to  censure  him  for  his  course 
in  opposing  the  administration,  and  endorsing  the  extreme 
views  of  Mr.  Calhoun.    A  two  days'  meeting  was  announced 


22  Presbyterian  Churches  at 

to  be  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Morganton,  and  on 
the  first  day  Colonel  B.  S.  Gaither,  then  quite  a  young  man,  de- 
livered a  prepared  and  well  considered  speech  that,  according 
to  all  accounts,  did  him  great  credit.  The  celebrated  lawyer, 
Hillman,  then  lived  in  Morganton,  and  was  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him  one  of  the  most  profound  thinkers  and  one  of  the 
best  informed  men  upon  all  subjects,  in  the  State.  He  was  held 
in  reserve  for  the  second  great  day,  when  the  resolutions  were 
to  be  offered.  To  the  surprise  of  all  concerned  and  the  dismay 
of  many,  Carson's  carriage  was  driven  rapidly  through  the  vil- 
lage and  to  the  church  door,  while  the  bell  was  calling  the  in- 
dignant clans  to  meet  for  the  purpose  of  condemning  his  course. 
Always  ready  in  an  emergency,  he  took  his  stand  in  front  of 
the  pulpit,  when  the  crowd  gathered,  and  appealed  to  those 
present  to  say  whether  it  was  fair  to  convict  him  of  misrepre- 
senting his  constituents  without  a  hearing.  The  crowd  voted 
in  favor  of  allowing  him  to  speak  first,  and  then  Hillman  to 
reply.  According  to  the  custom  of  that  day,  Carson  had  before 
him  a  large  pitcher,  full  of  the  finest  French  brandy  toddy, 
while  he  was  delivering  a  speech  that  abounded  in  flights  of 
eloquence  that  charmed,  scathing  invective  that  made  his  op- 
ponents quake,  while  it  contained  a  clear  and  logical  presen- 
tation of  the  reasons  upon  which  the  Calhoun  party  relied  to 
sustain  the  principle  that  Congress  had  no  power  to  levy  a 
tariff  that  would  raise  a  sum  more  than  sufficient  to  defray 
the  expense  of  the  government,  economically  administered,  and 
the  still  more  startling  proposition  that  the  States  had  the  right 
to  declare  null  and  void  a  law  enacted  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
tecting particular  industries.  Whether  Colonel  Carson  was 
moved  merely  by  common  politeness,  or  whether  he  had  a 
strategic  end  in  view,  was  never  known ;  but  whatever  his  pur- 
pose may  have  been,  he  poured  out  a  glass  of  toddy  for  Hillman, 
and  pledged  his  health  in  opening,  and  continued  to  replenish 
it,  as  the  latter  sat  beside  him,  until,  when  Carson  had  held  his 
audience  for  two  hours,  and  then  gave  Mr.  Hillman  the  oppor- 
tunity to  reply,  the  latter  was  unable  to  rise  out  of  his  seat. 
The  day  ended  in  a  complete  triumph  for  Carson. 

Pastorate  of  Eev.  J.  S.  McCtttchan. 

With  the  call  and  subsequent  installation  of  Rev.  J.  S.  Mc- 
Cutchan,  such  minutes,  of  the  proceedings  of  meetings  of  the 
congregations  and  session  of  the  churches  of  Morganton  and 
Silver  Creek,  as  have  been  preserved,  begin  (the  two  congre- 
gations constituting  one  church  under  the  government  of  a 


Quaker  Meadows-  and  Morganton 


23 


single  session).  The  first  records  of  meetings  of  the  congre- 
gations and  session  that  have  not  been  lost  or  destroyed  are  as 
follows : 

Chapel  on  Silver  Creek,  August  22,  1835. 
The  congregation  met.    After  some  deliberation, 
Resolved  to  invite  the  Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan  to  preach  to  us 
one  year  to  commence  as  soon  as  he  can,  and  that  subscriptions 
shall,  as  early  as  practicable,  be  taken  up  for  his  support. 

Morganton,  October  16,  1836. 

After  sermon,  the  congregation  was  informed  by  the  Rev.  H. 
N.  Pharr,  that  their  engagement  with  Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan 
expired  at  this  time  and  it  was  necessary  to  know  the  will  of  the 
congregation  in  reference  to  his  further  continuance. 

Whereupon,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan  be  invited  to 
preach  to  us  another  year,  commencing  from  this  day. 

Morganton,  September  14,  1835. 
After  preaching  the  congregation  was  called  to  meet  for  the 
election  of  two  additional  elders,  at  the  request  of  the  existing 
Session.  The  meeting  having  been  opened  with  prayer  by  the 
Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan,  Messrs.  W.  McEntire  and  J.  Harbison 
were  nominated  and  unanimously  elected  as  elders  in  this 
church.    They  refused  to  accept. 

Sessional  Records. 

Morganton,  K  C,  May  23,  1835. 
Session  met.    Constituted  with  prayer.    Present,  J.  S.  Mc- 
Cutchan, Moderator;  W.  W.  Erwin,  John  Duckworth,  A.  L. 
Erwin,  Alfred  Perkins. 

Mr.  Wm.  Alexander  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Alexander  applied 
for  admission  to  the  privileges  of  the  church  and  were  examin- 
ed on  experimental  religion.  The  Session  being  satisfied  with 
their  evidence  of  piety,  resolved  to  admit  them.  Mrs.  A.  never 
having  been  baptized,  Session  directed  that  she  be  baptized 
tomorrow  (see  page  23).  Session  adjourned  with  prayer  to 
meet  tomorrow  at  9  o'clock  a.  m. 

J.  S.  McCutchan,  Moderator. 

William  McEntire  and  John  Harbison. 

William  McEntire,  who  is  mentioned  with  John  Harbison  as 
having  been  elected  elders,  is  the  same  who  at  a  subsequent 
time  expressed  a  purpose  to  leave  a  legacy  of  five  hundred  dol- 


24 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


lars  in  trust  to  the  members  of  the  Session  of  the  Morganton 
church.  He  died  intestate,  but  his  beneficent  purpose  was  car- 
ried out  by  his  heirs,  who  turned  over  to  the  Session  five  hun- 
dred dollars  to  be  invested  as  a  permanent  fund,  the  interest  on 
which  should  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  pastor's  salary. 
Several  such  bequests  have  been  since  made. 

William  McEntire  was  a  wealthy  old  bachelor  who  owned 
two  of  the  principal  squares  in  Morganton.  The  hotel  in 
which  he  lived  covered  the  ground  on  which  the  First  National 
Bank  now  stands  and  he  owned  all  of  that  square  except  the 
corner  lot  on  which  the  Seagle  store  and  dwelling  house  now 
stands.  He  was  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Thomas  Walton,  the  elder, 
and  an  uncle  of  Colonel  T.  G.  and  William  M.  Walton. 

John  Harbison  was  a  leading  member  of  his  family  and  the 
ancestor  of  a  large  number  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  of 
Burke  County,  many  of  whom  are  active  and  useful  members 
of  other  denominations. 

Prior  to  April,  1835,  Kev.  J.  S.  McCutchan  had  been  a 
resident  of  Fayetteville  until  licensed  by  Orange  Presbytery. 
On  April  29,  1835,  he  was  dismissed  from  Orange  Presbytery 
and  joined  Concord  at  a  meeting  of  that  Presbytery  at  Kocky 
River.  After  the  call  of  the  congregation  was  made  as  stated 
above,  it  appears  that  it  was  presented  at  a  meeting  of  Concord 
Presbytery  at  Charlotte  on  October  12,  1835,  and  declined  by 
him.  The  accounts  of  his  transfer  to  Morganton  given  in  the 
minutes  of  Presbytery  and  the  records  of  the  Session  at  Mor- 
ganton are  somewhat  conflicting  and  confused.  It  appears  that 
on  a  visit  to  Morganton  on  May  20,  1835,  about  a  month  after 
he  joined  Concord  Presbytery,  he  presided  over  our  Session  and 
presumably  preached  at  Morganton.  He  presided  at  successive 
meetings  of  the  Session  at  Morganton  in  July  and  August  of 
the  same  year.  It  seems  that  we  may  infer  that  he  continued 
to  supply  that  church  until  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Char- 
lotte in  October.  This  inference  seems  more  reasonable  be- 
cause we  find  the  following  minute  in  the  meeting  of  Presbytery 
at  Prospect  church,  March  12,  1835 : 

A  letter  was  received  from  the  Rev.  John  Silliman  assigning 
satisfactory  reasons  for  his  absence  from  the  present  sessions  of 


Quaker  Meadows  and  M  org  ant  on 


2.3 


Presbytery;  and  also  requesting  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation  between  him  and  the  church  of  Morganton;  and  Mr. 
Perkins,  elder  from  Morganton,  testifying  to  Presbytery  the 
consent  of  the  church  to  Mr.  Silliman's  request  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  the  pastoral  relation  between  the  Rev.  John 
Silliman  and  the  church  in  Morganton,  be  and  the  same  hereby 
is  dissolved  and  that  church  declared  vacant. 

A  call  from  the  church  of  Morganton  was  presented  to  Pres- 
bytery for  the  Rev.  John  S.  McCutchan,  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Orange,  with  a  request  from  the  church  for  permis- 
sion to  prosecute  said  call  before  the  Presbytery  of  Orange,  and 
permission  was  accordingly  granted. 

Rocky  River,  April  29,  1835. 

Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan  was  received  as  a  member  of  Concord 
Presbytery  from  Orange  Presbytery. 

Mr.  McCutchan  came  to  Morganton  two  years  after  entering 
the  ministry  when  he  was  quite  a  young  man  and  unmarried. 
He  boarded  at  the  house  of  one  of  his  elders,  Mr.  A.  L.  Erwin, 
the  father  of  Miss  Matilda  Erwin  who  is  still  living  and  re- 
members him  as  preacher  and  teacher.  He  was  thoroughly 
educated  and  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  the  early  fathers  of 
the  church,  Drs.  Caldwell,  Hall,  William  Bingham  and  J.  M. 
Wilson  in  discharging  the  combined  duties  of  classical  teacher 
with  those  of  minister  of  the  Gospel,  as  did  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson,  of 
Hawfields,  and  Dr.  Burwell,  of  Charlotte,  at  a  later  date.  While 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Morganton  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth 

Accessions  to  the  Church  and  Elders  Officiating  During  the 
Ministry  of  Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan. 

At  a  meeting,  May  23,  1835,  at  Morganton,  J.  S.  McCutchan, 
Moderator,  and  Elders  W.  W.  Erwin,  A.  L.  Erwin,  John  Duck- 
worth and  Alfred  Perkins,  being  present,  Mr.  William  Alexan- 
der and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Alexander  were  admitted  on  examina- 
tion to  the  church,  and  it  was  ordered  that  Mrs.  Alexander  be 
baptized. 

On  the  following  day  Mr.  Simeon  C.  Hilliard  was  admitted 
to  membership  on  examination. 

At  a  meeting  in  Morganton  July  6,  1835,  William  W.  Erwin, 


26 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


John  Duckworth,  A.  L.  Erwin  and  Alfred  Perkins,  elders,  being 
present,  Miss  Jane  E.  Perkins,  Miss  A.  H.  Greenlee  and  Miss 
Elmira  Fleming  were  admitted  to  membership  on  examin- 
ation. 

At  the  chapel  at  Silver  Creek,  August  22,  1835,  J.  Duck- 
worth, A.  L.  Erwin,  and  A.  Perkins,  elders,  being  present, 
Nancy  Sorrels,  Martha  Throgmorton,  Eliz.  Ad.  Harbison,  Ann 
Small  wood,  Catherine  McFalls,  Mary  K.  Dickson,  and  Caro- 
line (a  colored  woman  belonging  to  W.  C.  Erwin)  were  ad- 
mitted to  membership  on  examination. 

At  a  meeting  at  Morganton,  April  16,  1836,  Elders  A.  L. 
Erwin  and  Alfred  Perkins  being  present,  Miss  Lucinda  Ad. 
Massey  was  received  on  examination  and  the  following  per- 
sons on  certificates:  Mr.  Jas.  McKesson  from  Swannanoa,  Mrs. 
Maria  McKesson  from  Swannanoa,  Mrs.  Amelia  Gaither  from 
Tabor,  Miss  Emeline  E.  Gaither  from  Tabor.  Cecelia  (colored 
woman)  from  Baptist  church  at  New  Hope. 

On  August  27,  1836,  at  Silver  Creek,  Messrs.  J,  Duckworth, 
A.  L.  Erwin,  and  A.  Perkins,  elders,  being  present,  Mrs.  Mary 
Mooney  was  admitted  on  examination.  On  the  following  day 
Mr.  Edwin  W.  Chambers  was  admitted  on  certificates  from 
Rocky  River  church. 

On  September  10,  1836,  at  Silver  Creek,  Elders  Perkins  and 
Duckworth  being  present  Jemima  Grady,  Elizabeth  Neill,  Wm. 
Harbison,  Thos.  Neill,  Thos.  A.  Harbison,  and  Thos.  S.  C. 
Wade,  were  admitted  on  examination. 

In  Morganton,  October  15,  1836,  Elders  A.  Perkins,  A.  L. 
Erwin  and  J.  Duckworth  present,  Mrs.  Margaret  Erwin  and 
Miss  Mary  Presnell  were  admitted  on  examination. 

At  Morganton,  December  25,  1836,  Viney,  a  colored  woman 
belonging  to  Mr.  McEntire,  was  admitted. 

At  Morganton  January  19,  1837,  applications  were  made  for 
the  baptism  of  Mrs.  Grady's  three  children,  Theodore,  William 
Butler  and  Alexander,  and  for  Mrs.  George  Corpening's  daugh- 
ter, Delia  Cecelia,  which  applications  were  granted.  Mrs. 
Grady's  children  being  baptized  on  February  4th,  and  Mrs. 
Corpening's  child  on  February  6th. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  M  org  anion 


27 


On  January  29,  1837,  at  Major  Forney's,  Miss  Sophia  Whis- 
enhant  was  admitted  to  the  church  on  examination. 

April  12,  1837,  the  infant  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William 
Alexander,  Sarah  Matilda,  was  baptized. 

Sukey,  a  colored  woman  belonging  to  Mrs.  Gaither,  was  ad- 
mitted at  Morganton,  May  28,  1837. 

At  a  meeting  at  Morganton,  June  25,  1837,  (Elders  Duck- 
worth, Perkins  and  A.  L.  Erwin  being  present)  the  baptisms  of 
Edward  Hamilton,  infant  of  A.  L.  and  M.  G.  Erwin,  Maria 
Amanda,  infant  of  Mrs.  A.  L.  Massey,  and  Julia  Maria,  infant 
of  Mrs.  Sarah  Margaret  Chunn,  were  ordered  to  be  performed 
after  the  sermon  that  day,  which  was  done. 

Miss  Sarah  Good  was  admitted  at  Silver  Creek  in  August, 
1837. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Session  at  Morganton,  September  8, 
1838  (present  J.  S.  McCutchan,  Moderator,  and  Elders  Alfred 
Perkins  and  A.  L.  Erwin),  Mrs.  M.  K.  Cozens  and  Miss  Mar- 
tha C.  Cozens  were  admitted  on  certificate  from  Sharon  church. 

Session  met  at  Silver  Creek,  October  7,  1838  (McCutchan, 
Moderator,  and  Elders  Duckworth,  A.  Perkins  and  A.  L.  Er- 
win, present),  where  Mrs.  Mary  Bouchelle  and  Miss  Leah 
Alexander  were  admitted  on  examination,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
T.  McCutchan  on  certificate  from  Fayetteville  church.  The 
infant  son  of  Mr.  S.  Good  and  wife,  and  the  infant  daughter, 
Sarah  Douglas,  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  J.  S.  McCutchan,  were  bap- 
tized after  the  sermon. 

At  the  meeting  of  Session  at  Morganton  June  23,  1839, 
(Elders  A.  L.  Erwin  and  J.  Duckworth,  present)  applications 
were  received  from  Mr.  A.  L.  Erwin  for  the  baptism  of  his 
daughter,  Catherine  Amelia,  and  from  Mrs.  B.  S.  Gaither  for 
the  baptism  of  her  infant  daughter,  Delia  Emma,  which  bap- 
tisms were  ordered  to  be  administered  that  afternoon  and  were 
then  administered. 

Morganton  Presbytery. 

The  question,  whether  it  would  be  wise  to  divide  Concord 
Presbytery,  by  cutting  off  from  it  the  western  counties  and 
forming  a  Presbytery  to  be  called  Morganton  Presbytery,  is 


28 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


now  being  discussed.  But  few  persons  know  that  substantially 
the  same  territory  constituted  from  1836  to  1840,  the  old  Pres- 
bytery of  Morganton,  as  will  appear  from  the  following  ex- 
tracts from  the  records  of  Concord  Presbytery: 

At  a  meeting  of  Synod  in  Salisbury,  Saturday,  October  17, 
1835,  the  following  resolution  was  passed: 

Resolved,  That  a  new  Presbytery  be  and  hereby  is  erected  to 
occupy  part  of  the  territory  heretofore  occupied  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Concord,  viz. :  the  counties  of  Ashe,  Buncombe,  Burke, 
Haywood,  Lincoln,  Macon,  Rutherford,  Wilkes,  and  Yancey; 
that  the  Presbytery  thus  erected  be  known  and  designated  by 
the  name  and  style  of  "The  Presbytery  of  Morganton";  that 
"The  Presbytery  of  Morganton"  hold  its  first  session  in  the 
town  of  Morganton  in  the  County  of  Burke  and  State  of  North 
Carolina,  commencing  on  Thursday,  the  14th  day  of  April, 
A.  D.  1836,  at  12  m. ;  that  the  Rev.  John  Silliman,  or,  in  case 
of  his  absence,  the  senior  minister  present,  open  the  meeting 
with  a  sermon  and  preside  until  a  moderator  be  chosen,  and 
that  the  said  Presbytery  afterwards  meet  on  its  own  adjourn- 
ments. 

A  true  extract  from  the  minutes  of  Synod. 

Colin  McIver,  Stated  Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  at  Danville,  Va.,  at  its  fall  session, 
1840,  a  resolution  restoring  the  territory  mentioned,  with  the 
churches  in  its  bounds,  was  passed,  as  appears  from  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  minutes  of  Concord  Presbytery: 

At  the  meeting  of  Synod  of  JMorth  Carolina  at  Danville,  Va., 
in  the  fall  of  1840,  the  Presbytery  of  Morganton  was  dissolved, 
in  accordance  with  the  request  of  Presbytery,  and  all  its  un- 
finished business,  as  well  as  its  members,  churches,  and  terri- 
tory, thrown  into  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery  of  Concord. 

The  notice  which  will  follow  of  his  connection  with  Pres- 
bytery, is  gathered  from  the  minutes  of  both  Presbyteries  when 
he  represented  the  church  at  Morganton  in  each  of  them. 

Mr.  McCutchan  was  no  ordinary  man.  He  was  not  only  a 
ripe  scholar  and  learned  theologian,  but  a  very  spiritual  man 
and  impressive  preacher.  He  was  given  prominence  in  almost 
every  meeting  of  Presbytery  from  the  time  of  his  ordination. 
He  was  Stated  Clerk  at  the  first  meeting  he  attended  and  at 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  29 


many  subsequent  meetings  and  was  repeatedly  called  upon  to 
act  as  Moderator.  The  writer  recalls  the  fact  that  the  congre- 
gation, during  his  childhood,  seemed  to  look  back  with  pleas- 
ure to  his  ministry  in  the  church.  One  of  the  unfailing  evi- 
dences of  the  popularity  of  a  minister  as  well  as  a  physician 
is  to  be  found  in  the  number  of  namesakes  in  the  territory 
which  was  the  scene  of  his  professional  work.  The  Christian 
name,  McCutchan  was  not  an  uncommon  one,  and  will  be  found 
on  the  roll  of  Burke's  enlisted  soldiers.  The  records  of  the 
Morganton  church  show  that  he  "commenced  his  labors"  Octo- 
ber 20,  1835,  and  "terminated  his  labors"  in  1840,  and  that  the 
Rev.  James  Kerr  succeeded  him  in  November,  1840. 

It  appears  that  he  served  a  church  at  Goshen,  but  that  is  not 
mentioned  in  the  list  of  churches  served  by  him  given  in  the 
minute  of  Concord  Presbytery  on  his  death.  He  died  "in  the 
harness,"  soon  after  breaking  down  under  the  arduous  labor 
incident  to  conducting  a  revival  in  his  own  church.  An  obit- 
uary notice  of  him  appears  in  the  minutes  of  Concord  Pres- 
bytery and  is  as  follows: 

The  last  of  the  fathers  of  the  Concord  Presbytery  having 
fallen  asleep,  death  has  commenced  his  ravages  amongst  the 
younger  brethren  of  the  present  generation.  The  name  of  Rev. 
John  S.  McCutchan  heads  the  list  of  deaths  from  the  existing 
members  of  this  body.  He  died  at  Salem,  Ya.,  June  24,  1848, 
in  the  forty-first  year  of  his  age.  He  was  ordained  to  the  of- 
fice of  the  gospel  ministry  in  June,  1833.  In  1831  he  came 
into  our  bounds  a  licentiate  of  Orange  Presbytery.  He  com- 
menced his  labors  at  Philadelphia  church  and  for  about  seven- 
teen years  labored  as  pastor  or  stated  supply  at  that  place, 
Statesville,  Morganton,  New  Hope,  Bethany  and  Tabor.  At 
most,  if  not  all,  of  these  places,  the  spirit  of  .  the  Lord  accom- 
panied his  ministrations  and  numbers  were  added  to  these 
churches. 

The  last  of  his  ministerial  services  was  in  an  interesting  re- 
vival of  religion  in  his  own  charge,  where,  in  declining  health, 
he  labored  beyond  his  strength,  from  which  he  retired  to  close 
his  labors  and  die.  His  pious  walk;  his  godly  conversation; 
his  meek  and  quiet  spirit ;  his  punctuality  in  all  his  ministerial 
engagements;  his  fidelity  in  maintaining  the  truth  and  declar- 
ing the  counsels  of  God ;  his  success  in  arousing  the  slumbering 
and  alarming  the  careless ;  and  directing  the  inquirer  to  the 


30 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Savior,  claims  from  us  a  cherished  remembrance  from  him  as 
a  chosen  servant  of  the  Lord,  a  faithful  minister  of  the  New 
Testament. 

But  his  work  is  done.  He  rests  from  his  labors  and  his  works 
do  follow  him.  When  his  health  failed,  and  he  was  warned  of 
approaching  dissolution,  he  set  out  to  visit  the  place  of  his  na- 
tivity in  Virginia  to  breathe  his  last  under  the  paternal  roof. 
But  he  was  not  permitted  to  enjoy  that  mournful  satisfaction. 
In  the  midst  of  his  journey,  he  fell  asleep  in  Salem,  Va.,  where 
his  mortal  remains  repose,  emblematical  of  that  rest  into  which 
he  has  entered;  and  in  the  words  of  the  attending  physician, 
who  witnessed  his  departure,  "surely  the  end  of  this  man  i,s 
peace."  Therefore 

Resolved — ■ 

1.  That  the  Presbytery  recognize  in  this  dispensation  of 
Divine  Providence  a  lesson  of  instruction  from  their  Master 
to  fulfill  more  faithfully  the  duties  of  the  holy  ministry  and  of 
warning  to  be  also  ready  for  their  last  account. 

2.  That  we  should  feel  called  upon  to  labor  more  and  pray 
more,  that  faithful  men  may  be  raised  up  to  fill  the  places  of 
those  who  are  called  away. 

3.  That  it  is  our  duty  to  emulate  the  zeal  and  imitate  the 
labors  and  tread  in  the  footsteps  of  those  who  have  gone  before 
us,  wherein  they  have  followed  Christ. 

4.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  forward  a  copy  of  this  minute  to 
the  family  of  Brother  McCutchan  and  publish  the  same  in  the 
Watchman  and  the  Observer.  II.  E".  Pharr, 

E.  P.  Kockwell, 

Committee. 

Rev.  James  Kerr. 

The  search  for  incidents  in  the  pastoral  life  of  Bev.  James 
Kerr  has  proved  less  successful  than  the  effort  to  find  material 
for  a  sketch  of  his  immediate  predecessors  at  Morganton 
church.  The  minutes  of  the  Session  inform  us  that  he  took 
charge  of  the  church  in  the  fall  of  1840,  as  successor  to  Mr. 
McCutchan.  It  is  mentioned  in  the  minutes  of  Presbytery  of 
Concord  that  he  represented  the  Morganton  church  at  Steele 
Creek  March,  1842,  and  was  chosen  Moderator  at  that  meet- 
ing. If  he  appeared  at  any  earlier  meeting  of  that  body  the 
mention  of  the  fact  in  the  minutes  has  been  overlooked. 

He  came  to  this  State  from  Virginia.  The  writer's  impres- 
sion is  that  his  last  previous  charge  in  Virginia  had  been  in 
Augusta  County. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


31 


At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Session  held  under  his  pastorate 
(Elders  J.  Duckworth  and  A.  L.  Erwin  being  present),  Mrs. 
E.  T.  McCutchan,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan,  was  dis- 
missed on  certificate  to  join  New  Hope  church  in  Lincoln 
County.  The  writer  does  not  know,  but  inclines  to  the  belief 
that  New  Hope  is  another  name  for  Goshen.  It  appears  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  Session  that  George  Phifer  Erwin,  infant 
son  of  E.  J.  and  Ann  E.  Erwin,  was  baptized  December  23, 
1840. 

Accessions  to  the  Church. 

John  McGuire  and  his  wife  Cynthia  were  dismissed  by  cer- 
tificate and  moved  to  the  State  of  Arkansas. 

On  April  30,  1842,  baptism  was  administered  to  Anna  Eliza- 
beth (afterwards  Mrs.  R.  L.  McConnaughey)  and  Laura  Anna 
Walton  (afterwards  Mrs.  Jones),  daughters  of  William  C.  and 
Matilda  Erwin. 

At  a  meeting  of  Session  August  20,  1842,  (present  James 
Kerr,  Moderator,  and  Elders  A.  L.  Erwin  and  J.  Duckworth) 
Messrs.  E.  Jones  Erwin  and  Elijah  Grady,  Mrs.  Goodwin 
Bouchelle,  and  Miss  Dorcas  Harbison,  were,  on  examination, 
received  into  communion  of  the  church. 

On  August  29  baptism  was  administered  to  William  Henry, 
infant  of  Dr.  .  and  Mrs.  Deliah  H.  Hardy,  of  Asheville,  by 
Bishop  J.  M.  Wilson. 

On  September  11  of  the  same  year  (1842),  Samuel  Pinkney, 
infant  of  Mr.  Alexander  and  Mrs.  Fatima  C.  Tate,  was  bap- 
tized. 

On  December  24,  1843,  Messrs.  John  Harbison  and  John 
McElrath,  having  been  duly  elected,  were  ordained  to  the  office 
of  deacon  by  prayer  and  laying  on  of  hands. 

On  May  11,  1844,  Messrs.  Edward  Jones  Erwin,  Elijah 
Grady,  and  Thomas  Neill,  having  been  duly  elected,  were  or- 
dained to  the  office  of  ruling  elder  by  prayer  and  the  laying  on 
of  hands. 

At  a  meeting  of  Session  at  Silver  Creek  chapel  on  Septem- 
ber 1,  1844,  (Jas.  Kerr,  Moderator,  and  Elders  E.  J.  Erwin,  E. 
Grady  and  Thomas  Neill  being  present),  Mr.  John  Black,  Mrs. 
Sarah  Tate,  Miss  Hannah  McElrath  (daughter  of  John),  Miss 


32 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Margaret  McElrath  (daughter  of  Robert),  Mrs.  Sarah  and 
Jane  Butler,  were  on  examination  received  into  the  communion 
of  the  church. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Session  held  at  the  house  of  Rev.  James 
Kerr,  who  acted  as  Moderator,  with  Elders  E.  J.  Erwin  and 
T.  Neill  present,  Mr.  James  Patterson  Harper  was,  upon 
examination,  received  into  the  church. 

At  an  adjourneld  meeting  on  the  next  morning,  William 
Dickson  was  received  upon  certificate  from  the  church  at 
Raleigh. 

Session  met  May  25,  1845,  (James  Kerr,  Moderator,  and 
Elders  E.  J.  Erwin  and  T.  Neill  being  present)  Mr.  William 
M.  D.  Howard  and  his  wife  Martha  B.  Howard,  were  received 
by  certificate  from  Bethel  church. 

Session  met  at  Silver  Creek  August  16,  1845,  when  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  T.  Avery  and  Maria  Elizabeth  Poster  were,  upon 
examination,  admitted  to  the  communion  of  the  church.  Bap- 
tism was  administered  to  Wm.  Jefferson,  Maiy  Catherine, 
Rachel  Elizabeth,  and  John  Alexander,  children  of  Robert  and 
Sarah  Tate;  to  John  Martin,  child  of  and  Jane  But- 

ler; and  to  Lucinda  Elizabeth,  child  of  George  and  Polly 
Corpening. 

At  the  meeting  of  Session  August  26,  1845,  Mrs.  Alzira  B. 
Jones  was  received  on  certificate  from  Little  Brittain  church. 
Baptism  was  administered  to  William  Patton,  Alzira  Rebecca 
and  Lawson  McCutchan,  children  of  Thomas  and  Alzira  Jones. 
Mr.  A.  L.  Erwin  and  wife,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Carson  (formerly 
Presnell)  were  dismissed  to  connect  themselves  with  the  church 
then  being  formed  at  Marion. 

August  31,  1845,  baptism  was  administered  to  Emma  Hen- 
rietta, child  of  Wm.  and  Matilda  Erwin,  and  to  Martha  Ma- 
tilda, infant  of  C.  M.  and  E.  T.  Avery. 

January  18,  1846,  Sarah  Elizabeth,  infant  of  Alexander  and 
Martha  Harbison,  was  baptized. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  dismissed  by  Concord  Presbytery,  April  10, 
1847,  to  join  Transylvania  Presbytery.  He  became  pastor  of 
Bethel  and  Burnsville  churches  near  Lexington,  Ya.  He  died 
in  Lexington,  Ya.,  and  his  widow  married  again  and  continued 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


33 


to  live  there.  The  writer  spent  an  evening  at  her  home  in  the 
fall  of  1865,  where  he  met  also  her  daughter,  who  was  then  a 
teacher. 

Rev.  John  M.  Wilson,  Jr. 
Rev.  J.  M.  "Wilson,  Jr.,  son  of  the  distinguished  pastor  of 
Rocky  River  church,  and  his  wife,  Mary  Erwin,  was  licensed  at 
Bethel  church,  September  5,  1834.  After  serving  acceptably 
several  churches  he  was  called  to  the  Morganton  church  Octo- 
ber 11,  1845.  He  was  well  known  and  loved  by  the  members 
of  this  church.  For  some  reason,  however,  he  did  not  at  first 
accept  the  call,  but  he  subsequently  accepted  the  call  in  No- 
vember, 1845,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  April  23,  1846,  Rev. 
H.  N".  Pharr  and  Rev.  E.  F.  Rockwell  officiating  at  the  instal- 
lation. 

He  was  a  man  of  sweet  temper,  a  wise  pastor,  and  a  good  1 
preacher.     After  serving  acceptably  until   October  3,  1851, 
he  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  to  the  Presbytery  of  Mis-  ' 
souri.    He  subsequently  moved  from  that  field  to  Texas. 

Dr.  Robert  Tate,  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  Tate,  married  his  eldest  » 
daughter,  Miss  Mary  Ann  Wilson,  and  removed  to  Texas,  ( 
where  Mr.  Wilson  died.    The  writer  has  no  information  as  to 
the  date  of  his  death. 

Praying  That  the  Lord  Will  Send  a  Good  and  Useful 
Preacher's  Wife. 

The  writer  recalls  an  incident  that  occurred  after  Mr.  Wil- 
son was  dismissed  and  before  his  successor  was  called  and  in- 
stalled as  pastor.  The  writer's  mother  was  the  oldest  sister  of  a 
large  family  and  naturally  her  six  younger  sisters  deferred 
to  her  opinions  and  asked  her  advice.  Three  of  the  sisters 
were  with  her,  when  one  of  them,  Mrs.  Catharine  Gaither, 
addressing  her,  said:  "Sister,  don't  you  think  it  would  be  wise 
for  all  of  us  to  pray  that  Providence  will  give  us  a  good 
preacher's  wife,  who  will  help  build  up  the  church?"  All  four 
sisters  assented  and  agreed  to  pray  for  that  blessing.  The 
result  has  strengthened  the  writer's  faith  that  God  will  grant 
special  blessings  to  persons  or  communities  in  answer  to  prayer. 

The  two  preachers'  wives  that  came  to  the  church  after  that 
2 


34 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


were  the  two  old  widows  who  have  gone  in  and  out  before  the 
church  for  so  many  years,  and  are  still  continued  benedictions 
to  it.  Both  have  helped,  by  precept  and  example,  to  build  it 
up.  It  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  note  here  the  further  fact 
that  the  church  at  Morganton  has  continued  up  to  the  present 
time,  to  be  exceptionally  blessed  in  pastor's  wives. 

Rev.  William  C.  Sheetz. 

Mr.  Sheetz  came  in  response  to  a  call  of  our  church  on  the 
8th  of  April,  1852,  from  Winchester,  Ya.,  and  brought  with 
him  his  bride  (nee  Lavinia  Morton). 

He  was  "examined,  ordained  and  installed"  at  Morganton 
May  14,  1852,  the  Rev.  R.  'N.  Davis  preaching  the  ordination 
sermon  and  Rev.  H.  1ST.  Pharr  presiding  and  poposing  the  con- 
stitutional questions  to  pastor  and  congregation;  after  which 
Rev.  T.  ~N.  Paxton  delivered  the  charge  to  the  new  pastor,  and 
Rev.  T.  E.  Davis  delivered  the  charge  to  the  congregation. 

Mr.  Sheetz  and  Elder  E.  J.  Erwin  represented  the  Morgan- 
ton  church  at  successive  meetings  of  the  Presbytery  until 
shortly  before  the  death  of  the  former,  but  no  action  of  special 
interest  to  the  church  at  Morganton  was  taken  at  any  of  these 
meetings. 

Mr.  Sheetz's  pastorate  covered  the  period  of  the  Civil  War, 
with  all  its  attendant  demoralization.  When  the  ranks  of  our 
Burke  soldiers  were  thinned,  and  especially  when  the  families 
of  his  church  were  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  loved  ones 
in  battle,  his  heart  went  out  to  them  in  sympathy  and  love. 
His  people  loved  him  because  he  seemed  to  be  in  such  close 
touch  with  them  in  bereavement. 

His  health  was  delicate  and  he  suffered  greatly  from  the 
beginning  of  his  pastorate,  but  always  tried  to  be  cheerful  and 
to  avoid  murmuring.  Many  of  the  relations  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sheetz  participated  in  the  Civil  War  and  several  of  them  fell 
after  winning  distinction  under  Beauregard,  Johnson  and  Lee. 

Mrs.  Sheetz  has  been  greatly  afflicted  by  loss  of  her  children, 
since  the  death  of  her  husband.  But  she  has  realized  the 
promise  that  she  should  be  refined  by  the  fiery  ordeal. 

Mr.  Sheetz  died  February  28,  1870,  but  the  church  had  no 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


35 


pastor  for  some  time,  and  until  Rev.  R.  B.  Anderson  was  in- 
stalled. While  the  church  was  unsupplied  many  of  its  mem- 
bers contributed  to  help  the  beloved  widow  of  their  deceased 
pastor.  She  now  lives  with  her  sonin-law,  Mr.  W.  C.  Erwin 
and  his  wife,  who  is  her  only  surviving  daughter. 

Accessions  to  the  Membership  and  Baptisms  During  the 
Pastorate  of  Rev.   W.  C.  Sheetz. 

At  the  times  and  places  specified  below  and  before  the  Ses- 
sions named  below,  the  list  of  members  joining  on  examination 
and  on  certificate,  and  the  list  of  infants  baptized,  follows;  and 
unless  otherwise  specified,  the  members  of  Session  will  be  under- 
stood to  be  Rev.  W.  C.  Sheetz  and  Elders  E.  J.  Erwin,  W.  M. 
D.  Howard  and  Thos.  Neill : 

Silver  Creek — July  18,  1852:  Miss  Butler  admitted  on  ex- 
amination. Baptism  administered  to  Mary  Morton  infant  of 
W.  C.  and  L.  M.  Sheetz. 

Quaker  Meadows — August  21,  1852:  Harvey  P.  Whisenhant 
and  Miss  1ST..  A.  Black  admitted  on  examination.  Mary  Lenoir, 
infant  of  C.  M.  and  E.  T.  Avery,  baptized. 

Morganton— October  2,  1852 :  Mrs.  C.  M.  Avery,  Mrs.  L.  M. 
Sheetz,  and  Miss  Cecelia  Howard  admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — June  11,  1853:  Miss  H.  J.  Avery  and  Miss  C. 
A.  McDowell  admitted  on  examination.  (June  11,  1853)  An- 
nie H.  and  Corrinna  I.  infants  of  W.  W.  and  C.  M.  Avery, 
baptized. 

Morganton — September  12,  1853:  Dr.  John  McK.  Wilson 
Henson  admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — September  14,  1853:  Dr.  John  C.  McDowell 
admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton— September  18,  1853:  Dr.  W.  C.  Tate  admitted 
on  examination. 

Morganton— September  24,  1853:  Dr.  Wm.  S.  Tate,  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Scott,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Henson,  Mrs.  Margaret  McKes- 
son, and  Miss  Sarah  J.  Foster  were  admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — October  8,  1853 :  Miss  Laura  Avery,  Miss  Ce- 
celia Deal,  and  Miss  Emily  M.  Greenlee  admitted  on  examin- 
ation. 


36 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Morganton — April  29  1854:  Miss  Margaret  McDowell  ad- 
mitted on  examination.  (July  30,  1854)  :  Dilon  J.  Sheetz, 
infant  of  W.  0.  and  L.  M.  Sheetz,  baptized  by  Rev.  W.  W. 
Pharr. 

Morganton — October  6,  1856 :  ( W.  S.  Moore  having  been 
elected  elder  and  being  present)  James  Erwin,  infant  son  of 
Dr.  J.  C.  McDowell,  Adelaide  Matilda,  infant  daughter  of  Cor- 
rinna  M.  Avery;  Cora,  infant  daughter  of  W.  S.  and  Mary 
Ann  Moore,  Sarah  Matilda  White,  infant  daughter  of  E.  J. 
and  A.  E.  Erwin,  Isaac  Thomas,  infant  son  of  Elizabeth  T. 
Avery,  Charles  Einley  son,  and  Anna  Maria,  daughter,  children 
of  Margaret  McKesson,  Wilberforee  Ramsey  and  Melville,  sons 
of  Dr.  S.  H.  Dickson,  were  baptized.  William  Chapman,  in- 
fant son  of  W.  C.  and  L.  M.  Sheetz,  baptized  by  Dr.  Chapman. 

Morganton — April  11,  1857 :  Miss  Laura  Eoster  and  Miss 
Mary  Moore  admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — September  13,  1857 :  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Greenlee 
admitted  on  examination.  Ann  Carson,  infant  daughter  of  E. 
J.  and  C.  A.  Kirksey  baptized. 

Morganton — January  10,  1858  :  Julia  Gaither,  infant  daugh- 
ter of  W.  C.  and  L.  M.  Sheetz,  baptized. 

Admission  of  Mrs.  Clara  McEntire  During  Her  Last  Illness. 

January  12,  1858:  Session  met  at  the  house  of  Wm.  C. 
Erwin. 

Mrs.  Clara  L.  McEntire,  who  intended  making  application 
for  membership  to  the  Session  at  our  communion  season  on 
the  10th,  but  was  prevented  by  indisposition,  and  her  desire  to 
cast  in  her  lot  with  the  people  of  God  by  a  public  profession 
of  her  faith,  and  fearing  from  the  continued  progress  of  her 
disease  that  she  would  be  deprived  of  the  privilege,  she  applied 
to  the  pastor,  who,  under  the  circumstances,  deemed  it  proper 
and  his  duty  to  convene  the  Session  at  the  residence  of  her 
father,  and  being  examined  on  experimental  religion  and  the 
examination  satisfactorily  sustained,  and  she  .was  admitted  to 
all  the  privileges  of  the  church,  and  at  her  urgent  solicitation, 
the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  to  her,  and  her  two  infant 
daughters,  M.  Matilda  and  Clara  Ida,  were  baptized. 

Morganton — July  29,  1858 :  R.  P.  Howard  admitted  on 
examination. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


37 


Quaker  Meadows. — First  Sabbath  in  October,  1858 :  Miss 
Black  admitted  on  examination.  Thos.  Dorsey  and  Isaac 
Moulton,  sons  of  Harvey  Whisenhant;  Margaret  E.  and  ¥m. 
B.,  children  of  Dr.  J.  C.  McDowell,  were  baptized. 

Morganton— Fourth  Sabbath  in  October,  1858:  Miss  M.  C. 
Tate  admitted  on  examination.  Miss  Catharine  E.  Tate  ad- 
mitted on  certificate.  ¥m.  Waighstill,  infant  of  W.  W.  and 
M.  C.  Avery,  baptized. 

Morganton — April  4,  1859 :  Mrs.  Margaret  C.  Moore  re- 
ceived on  certificate. 

July  10,  1859:  Lilla  Poe,  daughter  of  Mr.  E.  J.  Kirksey, 
and  Alice  Morton,  daughter  of  W.  S.  and  C.  Tate,  were  bap- 
tized. 

Morganton — September  6,  1859  :  Daniel  L.  Forney  admitted 
on  examination. 

Morganton — November  18,  1860:  Miss  Delia  Emma  Gaither 
admitted  on  examination.  Mrs.  Sarah  Forney  admitted  on 
certificate. 

Quaker  Meadows — May  5,  1860:  Isaac  N.  Forney  admitted 
on  examination. 

Morganton — November,    1860 :   John    Scott    and   wife  ad- 
mitted on  certificate  from  Newton,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  M. 
on  certificate  from  Concord. 

April  31,  1861-:  Miss  Martha  Avery  received  on  certificate 
from  Greensboro  church. 

Quaker  Meadows — July,  1862 :  Robt.  Alexander,  Jas.  Alex- 
ander, and  Louisa  Forney  admitted  on  examination. 

Quaker  Meadows — June  5,  1863 :  Clinton  Black  admitted 
on  examination. 

Morganton— October  13,  1863:  Edwin  McGuire,  of  Arkan- 
sas, admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — July,  1864:  Mrs.  E.  T.  Dickson  received  on 
examination  and  "her  children  were  then  all  baptized  at  her 
request." 

Morganton — June,  1865 :  Miss  H.  E.  Avery  and  Mrs.  Anna 
McConnaughey  admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — October,  1865 :  Miss  Susan  A.  Moore,  Miss  S. 
E.  Alexander,  Miss  O.  C.  McGimpsey,  Mrs.  Laura  C.  Warlick 
and  Mrs.  Matilda  B.  Giles  admitted  on  examination. 


38 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Morganton — June  25,  1866:  Milly  Gaither  (colored,  after- 
wards Milly  Moore),  admitted  on  examination. 

Elder  Howard  and  Family  Dismissed  to  Brusilla, 

Morganton— November,  1866:  "W.  M.  D.  Howard,  Elder, 
and  wife,  Martha  B.,  and  son,  K.  P.  Howard,  were  granted 
certificates  of  dismissal  with  a  view  of  connecting  themselves 
with  the  church  at  Drusilla." 

Morganton — April  14,  1867 :  Adolphus  Erwin,  infant  son  of 
J.  W.  Wilson,  and  William  Haywood,  infant  son  of  Dr.  R.  C. 
Pearson,  baptized. 

Quaker  Meadows— July  7,  1867 :  Mrs.  Sarah  Ann  McDowell 
and  E.  A.  Perkins  admitted  on  examination.  Also  Jos.  E. 
Chambers  and  Mary  Martha  Chambers  admitted  on  certificate 
from  Eourth  Creek  church;  and  Mrs.  Lou  Wilson  from  Marion 
church;  and  Mary  McKee  Happoldt,  infant  of  Mrs.  Emilee 
Happoldt  was  baptized. 

Sardis  Church— July  21,  1867:  E.  P.  Moore,  Sainl.  H.  Alex- 
ander and  Miss  Ann  Elizabeth  Pearson  admitted  on  examin- 
ation ;  and  Mrs.  E.  P.  Moore  on  certificate  from  Yorkville. 
Also  Saml.  B.  Moore,  and  Laura  Cornelia  Moore,  infants  of 
Mr.  John  Moore,  and  Richard  Springs  Moore,  infant  of  E.  P. 
Moore,  were  baptized. 

Morganton — August  1,  1867 :  W.  E.  Avery  admitted  on 
examination.  W.  S.  Moore's  infant  daughter,  Maggie  Earle, 
baptized  October  3,  1867;  J.  E.  Chambers'  infant  daughter, 
Catharine  Moulton,  baptized  January  12,  1868.  D.  J.  Eor- 
ney's  infant  son  and  daughter  baptized  January  6,  1868.  B. 
Black's  infant  son,  John  Martin,  baptized  April  5,  1868. 

Rev.  Dr.  R.  B.  Anderson. 

Dr.  R.  B.  Anderson  and  Dr.  W.  A.  Wood,  were,  on  examina- 
tion, taken  under  the  care  of  Presbytery,  as  candidates  for  the 
ministry  at  the  same  meeting.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
ministerial  careers  of  two  men,  who  were  bound  together  as 
closely  as  David  and  Jonathan,  till,  upon  the  death  of  the 
former,  Dr.  Wood  was  called  upon,  with  other  close  friends, 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


39 


to  conduct  his  funeral  rites.  Since  the  death  of  Dr.  Wood  they 
have  doubtless  had  a  reunion  in  a  better  land. 

Dr.  Anderson's  mother  was  a  Burton  and  that  family  has, 
from  an  early  period,  furnished  prominent,  talented  and  use- 
ful men  who  have  distinguished  themselves,  especially  as  law- 
yers. One  of  the  number  was  a  distinguished  Governor  of  the 
State,  another  a  distinguished  Methodist  minister  and  presid- 
ing elder,  and  during  our  own  times  K.  O.  Burton  rose  to  the 
head  of  his  profession  before  he  was  cut  down  a  few  years  ago 
when  still  a  young  lawyer.  Dr.  Anderson's  father  was  of  the 
best  type  of  Scotch  Presbyterian. 

.  Dr.  Anderson  was  distinguished  for  his  singular  self  control, 
his  sweet  temper,  and  his  prompt  and  wise  decision  when  called 
upon  to  act  or  speak  in  reference  to  important  questions  that 
confronted  him. 

JSlo  pastor  has  ever  been  more  admired,  honored  and  beloved 
by  a  congregation,  than  was  he  by  all  of  the  members  of  his 
church  and  congregation  at  Morganton.  His  people  did  not 
wait  to  pass  upon  the  propriety  of  his  conduct  after  he  acted, 
but  were  always  ready  to  prophesy  that  he  would  do  the  wise 
thing. 

His  health  was  never  good.  He  was  feeble  and  nervous  and 
often  unable  to  prepare  and  deliver  sermons.  He  repeatedly 
notified  his  people  that  he  felt  impelled  to  resign  his  pastorate, 
because  he  was  not  physically  able  to  preach  regularly,  for 
three  Sundays  in  a  month  as  he  had  agreed  to  do.  The  writer 
recalls  the  fact  that  in  response  to  one  of  these  notices  he  was 
appointed  as  one  of  a  committee  empowered  and  requested  to 
inform  Dr.  Anderson  that  they  would  greatly  prefer  to  have 
him  preach  only  one  sermon  a  month  and  have  the  benefit  of 
his  counsel  and  example,  than  to  have  the  whole  time  of  any 
other  man;  and  to  inform  him  that  it  was  in  vain  for  him  to 
try  to  dissolve  the  tie  of  pastor  and  people. 

He  was  licensed  at  Third  Creek  church  April  18,  1859,  and 
was  called  to  Bethel  church  at  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  at 
Olney  church  April  10,  1862,  which  call  he  accepted.  He  after- 
wards served  several  churches,  sometimes  preaching  out  of  the 
State,  but  the  minutes  of  Presbytery  contain  no  detailed  ac- 


40 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


count  of  his  ministry  before  he  came  to  Morganton.  He  was, 
especially  in  the  early  years  of  his  ministry,  distrustful  of  his 
ability  and  gifts  as  a  preacher,  and  seemed  utterly  unconscious 
that  he  possessed  the  power  and  could  command  the  beautiful 
and  finished  style  of  expression  for  which  he  was  afterwards 
so  noted. 

He  was  happily  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Thornwell,  of  Co- 
lumbia, S.  C,  a  daughter  of  the  distinguished  Dr.  Thornwell 
of  that  place. 

For  some  years  he  gave  one  fourth  Sunday  in  every  month 
to  the  church  at  Newton,  the  congregation  of  which  were  an 
devoted  to  him  as  his  people  at  home.  E"o  man  could  ever  havfe 
exercised  a  greater  influence  for  good  by  precept  and  example 
on  the  citizens  of  a  whole  community,  than  he  did  upon  the 
people  of  Morganton.  When  his  peaceful  end  came  it  was  emi- 
nently appropriate  that  his  closest  friends,  Dr.  W.  A.  Wood 
and  Dr.  W.  W.  Pharr  and  Dr.  Rumple  should  have  been  invited 
to  conduct  the  burial  services. 

The  writer  prepared  a  memorial  and  resolutions  adopted  by 
the  congregation,  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Anderson  and  thinks 
he  cannot  now  express  the  feelings  of  his  people  better  than  by 
adding  the  memorial  and  resolutions  as  they  appear  upon  the 
minutes  of  the  Session  in  the  following  language : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Morganton,  N".  C,  held  on  the  8th  day  of  December,  1889, 
the  following  paper  was  unanimously  adopted : 

Rev.  Robert  Burton  Anderson,  pastor  of  this  church,  was 
born  in  Granville  County,  X.  C,  on  the  8th  day  of  January, 
1833.  His  father  was  a  sturdy  Scottish  gentleman  brought  up 
in  the  faith  and  trained  in  the  doctrine  of  the  independent 
church  of  that  country.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Col. 
Robert  Burton  whose  family  has  been  known  and  honored  in 
the  State  for  a  hundred  years.  He  was  the  only  child  of  that 
marriage. 

His  classical  training  began  under  Dr.  Alexander  Wilson  at 
the  Caldwell  Institute,  at  Hillsboro,  JST.  C,  and  was  finished  at 
Prnceton  where  he  graduated  in  the  year  1854,  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Dr.  McLain.  In  the  year  1856  he  professed  faith  in 
Christ  and  determined  ever  thereafter  to  devote  his  life  to  the 
Christian  ministry.  He  entered  the  seminary  at  Columbia,  S. 
C,  in  October  of  that  year  and  was  instructed  in  theology  by 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  41 


the  great  Gamaliel  of  the  Church,  South,  Dr.  James  H.  Thorn- 
well,  until  the  year  1859,  when  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel  by  Concord  Presbytery. 

His  connection  with  this  church  began  in  the  year  1871  and 
continued  for  eighteen  years  and  three  months.  The  power  of 
his  preaching,  the  force  of  his  example,  and  his  wonderful  wis- 
dom and  prudence,  at  an  early  stage  of  his  ministry  won  the 
admiration  of  his  people.  In  his  work  and  conversation  he 
reflected  the  divine  light,  given  in  secret  communion  with  his 
Savior.  ~No  life  has  made  an  impression  more  profound,  as  a 
testimony  of  the  sanctifying  and  elevating  influence  of  God's 
grace  upon  the  human  heart- 
But  while  his  holiness,  purity  and  patient  submission  to 
God's  will  were  witnessed  by  the  community  in  which  he  lived, 
his  tender,  touching  love  and  sympathy  for  those  who  were  in 
sorrow,  was  known  only  to  this  people,  to  whom  he  came  com- 
missioned to  lead  them  to  the  divine  Comforter. 

We  are  persuaded  that  in  the  history  of  the  church,  there 
have  been  few  if  any,  instances  where  pastor  and  people  have 
been  so  closely  bound  together  by  the  ties  of  love. 

He  has  left  those  still  on  earth  in  tears,  to  receive  the  wel- 
come of  those  who  have  already  witnessed  for  his  ministry  as 
saints  in  heaven. 

It  is  eminently  fit  and  appropriate  that,  as  a  church,  we 
should  give  expression  to  our  sorrow,  and  thereupon  it  was 
resolved  by  the  members,  as  well  as  the  congregation  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  of  Morganton. 

1.  That  in  the  death  of  our  beloved  pastor  this  church  and 
the  community  in  which  he  lived,  have  suffered  irreparable 
loss  by  being  deprived  of  the  benefit  of  his  devoted  example 
and  the  instruction  and  comfort  of  his  ministry. 

2.  That  the  Presbyterian  church  of  the  South  has  lost  one 
of  its  ripest  scholars,  most  powerful  preachers,  most  profound 
theologians,  wisest  counselors,  and  purest  and  best  men. 

3.  That  as  a  church  we  desire  to  bear  testimony  to  his  faith- 
fulness as  a  minister  and  the  beauty  and  loveliness  of  his  Chris- 
tian character. 

4.  That  we  tender  our  sympathy  to  his  wife,  who  has  so 
earnestly  cooperated  with  him  in  every  effort  to  advance  the 
Kingdom  of  Christ ;  and  we  pray  God  to  comfort  her  heart  and 
bless  this  bereavement  to  her  and  her  family. 

5.  That  a  copy  of  this  memorial  and  these  resolutions  be 
furnished  to  the  family  of  our  beloved  pastor  and  another  to 
the  Session  of  the  church,  with  the  request  that  they  be  re- 
corded in  the  minutes  of  the  Session  as  a  lasting  evidence  of 
our  affection  and  respect  for  him. 


42 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


6.  That  a  copy  of  this  memorial  and  these  resolutions  be 
sent  to  the  North  Carolina  Presbyterian,  the  Southern  Presby- 
terian, and  the  Morganton  Herald,  with  a  request  to  publish. 

Note. — Miss  Margaret  McDowell  insists  that  according  to 
her  recollection,  she  was  received  into  the  church  during  the 
pastorate  of  Dr.  Anderson  in  1872.  The  minutes  of  the  Ses- 
sion show  that  the  Session  was  presided  over  for  the  first  time 
of  which  we  have  any  record,  by  Dr.  Anderson  as  stated  supply 
on  April  7,  1873. 

The  minutes  of  Concord  Presbytery,  which  the  writer  ex- 
amined at  Davidson  College  a  few  weeks  ago,  record  the  fact 
that  Dr.  Anderson  was  called  at  its  session  at  Concord,  October 
14,  1874,  and  installed  June  12,  1875. 

In  the  memorial  tribute  embodied  in  the  foregoing  sketch 
it  is  stated  that  his  connection  with  this  church  began  in  1871. 
These  conflicting  statements  can  be  reconciled  with  each  other 
and  with  the  clear  recollection  of  Miss  McDowell  by  stating 
that  Dr.  Anderson  became  stated  supply  in  1871,  instead  of  in 
1873,  and  while  acting  in  that  capacity  Miss  McDowell  was 
received  into  the  church  in  1872. 

It  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Anderson  that  Major  J. 
W.  Wilson  and  Col.  S.  McD.  Tate  contributed  very  generously 
to  the  church  at  Morganton  in  adding  a  new  front  to  the  build- 
ing, which  greatly  improved  its  appearance  and  increased  its 
seating  capacity.  Theirs  was  the  most  liberal  donation  of  the 
kind  made  since  the  old  church  and  parsonage  were  erected, 
more  than  a  half  century  before. 

Accessions  to  the  Church,  Baptisms  and  Election  and  Ordina- 
tion of  Elders  and  Deacons,  During  the  Pastorate  of  Rev. 
R.  B.  Anderson. 

Morganton— April  7,  1873:  (Rev.  R.  B.  Anderson,  stated 
supply  then,  and  Elders  B.  P.  Moore  and  E.  A.  Perkins  being 
present).  Mr.  J.  C.  Mallard,  Mrs.  Lucy  A.  Mallard,  Mr.  Win. 
S.  Mallard,  Misses  Ida  and  Mary  J.  Mallard  received  on  cer- 
tificate from  Newton  church. 

Morganton — May  10,  1873:  Mr.  James  Anderson  received 
on  examination. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


43 


Morganton — July  7,  1873:  Miss  Sarah  B.  Whisenhant  ad- 
mitted on  examination. 

Morganton — August,  1873:  Miss  Cora  Avery  admitted  on 
examination.  Miss  Nannie  T.  Anderson  received  on  examina- 
tion. Mrs.  E.  B.  Anderson  received  on  certificate  from  church 
at  Columbia,  S.  C. 

Morganton — October  4,  1873:  Miss  Mary  McBee  Happoldt 
admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — February  8,  1874:  (Present  Bev.  B.  B.  Ander- 
son and  Elders  E.  A.  Moore  and  J.  C.  Mallard).  Mrs.  A.  C. 
Avery  received  on  certificate  from  church  at  Unity. 

September  12,  1874:  Miss  Sally  Elvira  Pearson  and  Miss 
Mary  Craig  Pearson  received  on  examination. 

September  13,  1874:  Miss  Mary  Willis  Wilson  admitted  on 
examination. 

March  14,  1875:  Mr.  John  Witherspoon  Ervin  and  his  wife, 
Mrs.  Laura  Ervin,  with  their  children,  McQueen,  Elizabeth, 
John  Conyers,  Samuel  James,  Louise  Nelson  and  Annie,  re- 
ceived on  certificate  from  church  at  Manning,  S.  C. 

May  24,  1875:  Miss  Nancy  Jones  admitted  on  examination. 
Mrs.  Annie  Wylie  Moore  on  certificate  from  Purity  church  in 
Bethel  Presbytery. 

June  29,  1875:  Miss  Mortie  Sheetz  received  on  certificate 
from  Third  Creek  and '  Mrs.  Corrie  Lindsay  from  church  at 
Lenoir.  Mrs.  Mary  Lizzie  Martin  and  Miss  Dora  Mallard 
received  on  examination. 

September,  1875:  Mr.  Bobert  Perkins  admitted  on  examina- 
tion. 

November  7,  1875:  Mr.  Bobert  Brown  and  wife  received  on 
examination. 

November  14,  1875:  Miss  Annie  Ervin  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

March  12,  1876:  Elder  E.  P.  Moore  and  wife  dismissed  to 
Presbyterian  church  at  Chester  Courthouse,  S.  C. 

March  26,  1876:  Miss  Jessie  Corrina  Chambers  admitted 
on  examination. 

April  29,  1876:  Misses  Harriet  Eloise  Avery,  Laura  Avery 
and  Alice  Matilda  Wilson  admitted  on  examination. 


44 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


July  30,  1876:  Miss  Emma  McRee  and  Waightstill  Avery 
admitted  on  examination. 

October  24,  1876:  Mr.  Mallard  and  family  dismissed  to 
church  in  Asheville. 

Janaury  7,  1877 :  Messrs.  Saml.  Tate  Pearson,  Burgess 
Gaither  Pearson,  and  Alexander  Wilson  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

May  12,  1877:  Misses  Harriet  Erwin  Chambers,  Sarah 
Elizabeth  Happoldt,  Lucy  Greenlee  Happoldt,  Catherine  Lee 
Sheetz  and  Mr.  Charles  Andrew  Moore  admitted  on  examina- 
tion. 

September  29,  1877 :  Mr.  Jas.  Edward  Starke  received  on 
examination.    Mrs.  J.  A.  Dickson  received  on  certificate. 

September  30:  Misses  Ellen  M.  Grady,  Minnie  Happoldt, 
Adelaide  M.  Avery,  and  Julia  G.  Sheetz,  and  Mr.  fm,  M. 
Moore  received  on  examination. 

October  14,  1877:  Miss  Lizzie  Milne  and  Mrs.  Rachel  E. 
Cosbey  received  on  examination. 

December  1,  1877 :  Mr.  R.  K.  Presnell  admitted  on  examina- 
tion. 

April  27,  1878:  Dr.  Robert  C.  Pearson  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

April  28 :  Jefferson  Brown  (colored)  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

August  23,  1878:  Judge  A.  C.  Avery  received  on  examina- 
tion. Also  on  examination  Hagar  J.  Brown,  (colored).  Miss 
Eloise  A.  Colton  received  on  certificate  from  church  at  Spencer 
Academy. 

May  24,  1879  :  Robert  A.  McNeely  and  Eliza  W.  Anderson 
admitted  on  examination. 

November  2,  1879  :  R.  K.  Presnell  and  A.  C.  Avery  ordained 
and  installed  as  elders,  and  R.  C.  Perkins  as  deacon. 

February  22,  1880:  Stephen  C.  Worth  and  wife,  Lovie 
Worth,  admitted  on  examination,  and  Mrs.  Lizzie  Tull  re- 
ceived on  certificate. 

April  5,  1880 :  Mrs.  Louisa  Eorney  Spainhour  received  on 
certificate  from  Lenoir.    Mr.  John  W.  Ervin  and  wife,  Laura, 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


45 


and  children,  McQueen,  Louisa  and  Annie,  dismissed  to  church 
at  Wilkesboro. 

May  9,  1880:  Mournin  Crisp  (colored)  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

October  10,  1880:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Crawley  received  on  ex- 
amination. 

August  28,  1881 :  Mr.  Saml.  McD.  Tate  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

September  11,  1881:  Miss  Sally  Michael  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

September  25,  1881 :  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Sherman  and  Mrs. 
Josephine  Boyd  admitted  on  examination. 

Morganton — April  23,  1882 :  Mr.  William  Boger  and  wife, 
Mrs.  Emily  Gertrude  Boger,  received  on  certificate  from 
church  at  Marion. 

May  28,  1882 :  W.  A.  Boss  admitted  on  examination.  Also 
Sallie  Johnson  (colored)  on  examination. 

September  21,  1882 :  Miss  Heloise  Bristol  received  on  certifi- 
cate from  church  in  Huntsville,  Tex.  Dr.  George  H.  Moran 
admitted  on  examination. 

September  23,  1882 :  Miss  L.  E.  Wilson  admitted  on  exami- 
nation.   Also  on  examination  Rufus  Avery  (colored). 

September  26,  1882 :  Miss  Laura  Moore  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

July  13,  1883:  John  A.  Gilmer  admitted  on  certificate  from 
church  in  Alamance  County,  Orange  Presbytery. 

March  11 :  Mr.  Lawrence  Lafayette  and  Mrs.  Mary  Ann 
Dietz  admitted  on  examination. 

March  25 :  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Gaither  received  on  certificate 
from  Methodist  church.  Mr.  S.  J.  Ervin  dismissed  to  church 
at  Wilkesboro. 

April  15 :  "Dismission  was  granted  at  her  own  request  to 
Miss  Lizzie  Ervin,  now,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Kennedy." 

April  29 :  W.  H.  Pearson  admitted  on  examination.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  P.  L.  Murphy  on  certificate.  Mr.  A.  D.  Gibbs  on  cer- 
tificate from  Methodist  church. 

October  14 :  Mr.  W.  Forney  admitted  on  examination. 


46 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


July  23,  1884:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  S.  Greenlee  dismissed  to 
Honey  Grove  church;,  Texas. 

February  24,  1884 :  Miss  Minnie  McCormick  dismissed  to 
Gastonia  church. 

August  3,  1884:  Mr.  L.  L.  Dietz  and  wife,  and  their  bap- 
tized children  dismissed  to  Shelby  church. 

January  10,  1885:  Miss  Lucy  Caroline  Grady  admitted  on 
examination. 

April  9  :  Mrs.  Eloise  Colton  dismissed,  with  her  children, 
Moulton,  Lizzie,  James,  Susan  and  Henry,  to  join  another 
Presbyterian  church. 

April  26:  Mr.  John  A.  Dickson  admitted  on  examination. 
Miss  Mary  C.  Perkins  received  on  certificate  from  Baleigh. 

August  8,  1885 :  Admitted  on  examination  Miss  Annie  L. 
Presnell,  Miss  Maggie  Evans  Moore,  Miss  Laura  McCon- 
naughey,  Miss  Minnie  McConnaughey,  Miss  Kate  Lenoir 
Chambers. 

January  24,  1886:  Miss  Heloise  Bristol  Borden  dismissed 
to  Wilson.    Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hunt  admitted  on  examination. 

February  6,  1886 :  Miss  Julia  Tull  admitted  on  certificate 
from  church  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

February  7 :  Mr.  John  Gray  Bynum  admitted  on  examina- 
tion. 

April  9  :  Mr.  Pink  Forney  admitted  on  examination. 

July  7 :  Mrs.  Carolina  Marsh  and  Moulton  A.  Colton  were 
admitted  on  examination. 

July  11 :  Miss  E.  C.  Perkins  admitted  on  certificate  from 
Statesville. 

October  24 :  Mr.  Alexander  Shuping  admitted  on  examina- 
tion. 

November  14 :  Miss  Helen  H.  Scott  admitted  on  certificate. 
December  5 :  Mr.  E.  F.  Reid  admitted  on  examination. 
December  9 :  Mrs.  Mortie  Collins  dismissed  to  Philadelphia 
church. 

March  3,  1887 :  Mr.  Conyers  Ervin  dismissed  to  Haywood 
church. 

March  27 :  Miss  Kate  McDowell  admitted  on  examination. 
December  11,  1887 :  "A  three  months  leave  of  absence  from 


Quaker  Meadovjs  and  Morganton 


47 


ministerial  duties  was  given  Mr.  Anderson  to  take  a  trip  to 
Florida  for  the  benefit  of  his  and  his  daughter's  health."  C.  P. 
Erwin  admitted  on  examination.  Mrs.  Katie  Lee  Erwin  dis- 
missed to  church  in  Lenoir. 

December  20 :  Miss  Cora  Wilson  admitted  on  examination. 
Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Higgins  on  certificate  from  Methodist  church. 

July  29,  1888 :  W.  C.  Sheetz  admitted  on  examination. 

September  2,  1888 :  "The  officers  elected  were  ordained  and 
installed  viz. :  G.  P.  Erwin,  J.  G.  Bynum,  J.  A.  Gilmer  and  W. 
H.  Pearson,  as  elders ;  and  J.  A.  Dickson,  W.  A.  Ross  and  E.  F. 
Reid  as  deacons." 

November  11,  1888 :  Mr.  J.  R.  Anderson  admitted  on  cer- 
tificate from  church  at  Castania  Grove. 

March  17,  1889:  Miss  Dorcas  E.  Davidson  admitted  on  cer- 
tificate from  ,  church  at  Providence. 

July  29 :  Miss  Minnie  Boyd  admitted  on  examination.  Mrs. 
E.  J.  Higgins  dismissed  to  join  Asheville  church.  . 

August  5,  1889 :  Miss  Sudie  Presnell,  Miss  Annie  P.  Erwin, 
Miss  Julia  Tull  and  Miss  A.  Beulah  Wilson  admitted  on  ex- 
amination. 

August  11 :  Mr.  John  W.  Erwin  and  Samuel  J.  Erwin  re- 
ceived on  certificate  from  church  at  Wilkesboro. 

August  25 :  Miss  Matilda  Erwin  and  Miss  Mary  Ann  Erwin 
received  on  certificate  from  Marion  church. 

September  26 :  Rob  McNeely  dismissed  to  South  Carolina 
church. 

October  26 :  Mr.  Hamilton  Erwin  admitted  on  examination. 

October  27 :  Miss  Lizzie  Avery  received  on  certificate  from 
Newton.  Mrs.  Harriett  Mooney  Giles  admitted  on  examina- 
tion, and  children  Thomas  Alexander,  Millard  Jefferson, 
Nancy  M.,  Charley  Mack  Giles,  were  baptized. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Marion. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Marion  came  to  North  Carolina  from  the  Synod 
of  South  Carolina  and  after  serving  here  for  a  very  short  time 
removed  to  South  Carolina  or  Georgia.  We  have  been  able  to 
gather  very  few  facts  as  to  his  history,  either  from  the  minutes 


48 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


of  Concord  Presbytery,  or  from  any  other  sources,  and  hence 
this  sketch  must  necessarily  be  short  and  meagre. 

The  suggestion  that  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Mor- 
ganton  should  invite  Mr.  Marion  to  act  as  temporary  supply, 
came  when  Dr.  Wood  was  visiting  and  supplying  the  church  of 
his  deceased  friend,  and  when  he  was  called  upon  to  act  as 
Moderator  of  the  Session. 

When  at  the  meeting  of  Session,  Dr.  Wood  was  asked  what 
he  knew  of  Mr.  Marion,  and  whether  he  thought  it  advisable 
to  call  him,  he  said  that  he  did  not  know  Mr.  Marion  personally 
but  had  heard  competent  judges  say  that  he  was  an  unusually 
forceful  pulpit  orator  and  a  scholarly  man,  as  well  as  an  exem- 
plary Christian.  He  advised  that  the  congregation  invite  him 
to  visit  and  preach  to  our  people  with  a  view  to  a  call.  Mr. 
Marion  came  in  response  to  an  invitation  and  preached  for  the 
church  and  presided  over  meetings  of  Session  for  four  succes- 
sive Sabbaths,  during  September  and  the  early  part  of  Octo- 
ber, 1890.  He  verified  all  that  Dr.  Wood  had  heard  and  re- 
ported as  to  his  preaching.  His  sermons  were  clear  and  logical 
and  spiritual  and  were  models  of  style.  The  congregation  was 
more  than  pleased  with  him. 

He  was  called  October  13,  1890,  accepted  and  was  subse- 
quently installed,  but  no  account  of  his  installation  has  been 
found  in  the  minutes  of  the  Session  or  congregation  or  of  Pres- 
bytery. 

Elder  W.  P.  Fife. 

A  sensational  feature  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Marion  grew 
out  of  revival  services  conducted  by  Mr.  Fife  in  a  large  tent  in 
Morganton,  at  which  scores  of  persons  made  profession  of 
religion  and  were  received  into  the  various  churches  of  Mor- 
ganton and  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Marion  did  not  attend  or  participate  in  these  meetings 
and  absented  himself  from  the  town  during  most  of  the  time 
when  they  were  being  held.  He  was  represented  to  be  opposed 
to  the  method  of  conducting  these  meetings,  because  of  the  ex- 
citement. But  while  he  made  no  public  statement  in  regard 
to  it,  as  far  as  the  writer  recollects,  he  di'd  state  that  he  was 
suffering  from  nervous  debility  and  in  his  feeble  condition 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


49 


could  not  stand  the  excitement  necessarily  incident  to  partici- 
pating in  the  meeting.  It  was  thought  that  he  was  opposed  to 
holding  them  and  this  impression  gave  rise  to  some  criticism. 

Mr.  Maron,  acting  upon  the  idea  that  his  services  were  no 
longer  desired  by  the  congregation,  tendered  his  resignation  at 
a  meeting  held  immediately  thereafter.  The  members  of  the 
congregation,  by  a  large  majority,  expressed  their  confidence 
in  him  and  agreed  to  send  Elder  Bynum  to  Presbytery  to  op- 
pose his  dismissal  at  his  own  request.  It  is  stated  in  the  min- 
utes of  Presbytery  that  Judge  Bynum  made  an  eloquent  speech 
in  opposition  to  any  agreement  on  the  part  of  Presbytery  to 
grant  his  request.  A  small  number  of  the  congregation  who 
opposed  sending  a  delegate  to  oppose  the  dissolution  of  the 
pastoral  tie,  were  influenced  by  the  belief  that  a  pastor  was 
always  the  best  judge  of  what  was  his  duty  in  such  matters, 
and  that  such  a  request  ought  always  to  be  granted. 

Mr.  Marion  returned  to  the  church  and  continued  to  act  as 
pastor  for  some  time  thereafter,  until  about  the  day  of 

.  A  discussion  in  the  church  newspapers  ensued, 
as  to  the  proper  method  of  conducting  revival  services,  as  to  the 
right  of  non-commissioned  evangelists  or  of  any  minister  not  sent 
out  by  authority  of  a  church  making  appointments  and  holding 
revival  services. 

After  revising  the  list,  especially  of  young  people,  who  con- 
nected themselves  with  the  church  soon  after,  which  list  will  be 
hereto  appended,  one  who  has  a  full  knowledge  of  the  facts  will 
state  without  hesitation  that  a  smaller  proportion  of  this  num- 
ber failed  to  live  up  to  their  professions,  as  of  the  aggregate 
number  admitted  at  intervals  during  the  ministry  of  most  of 
our  pastors.  To  unsweepingly  condemn  courthouse  meetings, 
revivals  conducted  by  ministers  or  others  not  sent  out  by 
church  authorities,  or  distinguished  divines  invited  to  hold 
such  meetings,  is  to  assume  a  very  grave  responsibility  when 
we  look  at  the  results  traceable  to  such  services  in  many  in- 
stances. Our  worthy  elder,  W.  A.  Ross,  made  a  profession  of 
religion  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  courthouse  by  a  traveling 
Methodist    preacher    with    whom    the    pastor    of    his  own 


50  Presbyterian  Churches  at 


church  did  not  deem  it  proper  to  cooperate.  Mr.  G.  P.  Erwiii 
professed  religion  at  a  revival  meeting  held  in  Salisbury  by  the 
evangelist  Pearson  who  was  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  but 
was  not  sent  out  by  his  church.  Another  officer  of  the  church 
dates  his  change  to  a  union  revival  meeting  held  in  the  court- 
house. As  to  methods,  the  writer  recalls  the  fact  that  when  a 
school  boy  he  attended  a  meeting  at  the  old  Hawfields  church, 
where  the  minister  followed  what  was  credibly  stated  had  been 
custom  for  a  hundred  years,  since  the  time  of  Dr.  Caldwell,  in 
resorting  to  the  call  to  the  mourners'  bench. 

Some  of  our  people  condemned  Dr.  Guerrant  for  calling  on 
young  people  to  come  forward  and  give  their  hands.  Yet 
amongst  the  converts  at  that  meeting  are  exemplary  members 
of  our  present  congregation  and  one  little  girl  whose  triumph- 
ant death  was  the  subject  of  much  comment. 

The  foregoing  has  been  written  in  a  spirit  of  tolerance  for 
divergent  views  of  Christian  people  and  is  intended  to  inculcate 
the  view  that  methods  should  be  left  to  the  consciences  of  the 
various  workers  who  may  be  striving  to  attain  the  same  end. 

After  severing  his  connections  with  the  Morganton  church 
Mr.  Marion  returned  to  South  Carolina,  and  perhaps  served  a 
congregation  in  Georgia.  But  we  have  been  unable  to  get  the 
facts.  He  died  several  years  ago.  He  was  an  able  preacher 
and  an  exemplary  man  and  minister. 

Accessions  During  the  Pastorate  of  Mr.  Marion. 

September  28,  1890:  Miss  Claude  Sherman  and  Messrs.  J. 
H.  Eeid,  Donald  McKenzie,  Earl  Koss,  and  J.  P.  Marion  re- 
ceived on  examination. 

October  2,  1890:  Misses  Bessie  Pearson,  Sudie  W.  Avery, 
Kate  McConnaughey,  and  Mr.  John  Tull  were  admitted  on 
examination. 

October  5,  1890:  Messrs.  Erwin  Avery,  Waightstill  Cham- 
bers, Joseph  Tull,  Joseph  Avery,  Alphonso  Avery,  Alfred 
Avery,  J.  A.  Presnell,  Eobert  G.  Presnell,  and  Miss  Claude 
Tate  and  Miss  Wilhelmina  Tate  were  admitted  on  examina- 
tion. Also  on  examination,  Mr.  Eobert  Forney,  Mr.  Walter 
Forney,  and  Miss  Julia  Forney,  Miss  Lizzie  Perkins  and  Mrs. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


51 


Nancy  Swift,  Robert  C.  Pearson  and  Miss  Corrinna  M.  Erwin. 

October  9,  1890:  Mr.  Murtrie  Polsom  and  Miss  Lizzie  Mc- 
Dowell admitted  on  examination. 

October  12 :  Mr.  W.  G.  Corpening,  W.  B.  McDowell  received 
on  examination,  and  Mrs.  W.  G.  Corpening  on  certificate  from 
Asheville.    Also  on  examination  Miss  Nancy  McNeely. 

October  26 :  Miss  Alice  Thompson  received  on  examination. 

November  27,  1S90 :  Elder  W.  H.  Pearson  dismissed  to 
church  at  Basic  City,  Va. 

December  21,  1890:  G.  H.  Moran  and  W.  A.  Ross  elected 
elders,  (first  Sabbath  in  January  next  set  for  ordination  and 
installation)  :    Mrs.  Mary  Kent  dismissed  to  church  at  Lenoir. 

January  4,  1891 :  Dr.  G.  H.  Moran  and  W.  A.  Ross  ordained 
and  installed  elders.  On  certificate  from  Congregational 
church,  Newton,  Mass.,  Mr.  William  Camp,  Mrs.  Rosa  Camp, 
Mrs.  Harriet  Camp,  and  Mr.  Edwin  Camp. 

March  15,  1891 :  I.  T.  Avery,  S.  J.  Ervin  and  Donald  Mc- 
Kenzie  ordained  and  installed  as  deacons. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  M.  Rose. 

Dr.  J.  M.  Rose  was  called  as  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  at  Morganton  in  May,  1893.  Before  giving  a  more 
minute  and  detailed  account  of  his  installation  and  of  his  sub- 
sequent ministry,  it  is  deemed  more  appropriate  to  give  a  suc- 
cinct account  of  the  dates  at  which  he  has  served  various  con- 
gregations as  well  as  of  his  birth,  early  education  and  training 
for  the  ministry. 

Dr.  John  M.  Rose  was  born  in  Eayetteville,  October  6,  1849, 
received  his  academic  training  in  the  old  Donaldson  Academy 
in  Eayetteville,  where  so  many  good  and  distinguished  sons  of 
North  Carolina  have  first  been  taught  to  think  and  to  express 
their  thoughts  elegantly  and  eloquently.  He  entered  Davidson 
College  in  September,  1864,  and  subsequently  joined  the  Junior 
class  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina  in  August,  1867. 
Even  our  grand  old  University  became  the  football  of  politics 
and  was  reconstructed  by  the  mixed  throng  that  took  charge  of 
the  State  in  1868  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  teachers  who  were 
either  utterly  incompetent  as  instructors  or  were  unfit  at  least 
for  the  duties  which  they  were  assigned  to  perform.    In  view 


52 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


of  the  situation  Dr.  Rose  declined  to  accept  a  diploma  which 
was  tendered  him  in  1869.  He  taught  school  until  the  fall  of 
1870  when  he  entered  Union  Theological  Seminary  at 
Hampden-Sidney,  Virginia.  He  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion May,  1873.  He  joined  Fayetteville  Presbytery  in  June, 
1872,  and  was  put  in  charge  of  Big  Rockfish  and  Sherwood 
churches  for  the  summer  months. 

Dr.  Rose  began  his  active  ministry  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  in 
July,  1873  as  a  city  missionary  in  the  employment  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  of  that  city.  He  was  ordained  by  East 
Hanover  Presbytery  (Synod  of  Virginia)  December  7,  1873, 
and  at  the  same  time  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church  of  Porstmouth,  Virginia.  He  became  the  pas- 
tor of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  in 
February,  1881,  and  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Goldsboro, 
K  C,  in  February,  1883. 

He  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Washington  Street  church 
(now  called  First  Church)  of  Greenville,  South  Carolina,  in 
April,  1886,  and  served  that  church  till  October  1,  1891,  when 
he  became  one  of  the  general  evangelists  of  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina.  He  became  the  stated  supply  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian church  of  Morganton  in  May,  1893.  A  more  minute 
account  of  his  installation  may  be  given  hereafter.  He  con- 
tinued in  that  charge  till  October,  1899,  when  he  removed  to 
Laurinburg  where  he  is  still,  at  the  end  of  thirteen  years,  serv- 
ing a  large  and  growing  congregation. 

We  find  in  the  minutes  of  the  Session  of  the  church,  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  the  installation  of  Dr.  Rose : 

On  motion  the  clerk  was  instructed  to  incorporate  in  the 
minutes  the  following  statement,  that  on  the  third  Sabbath  of 
November,  1893,  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Rose,  Jr.,  was  regularly  in- 
stalled as  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Morgan- 
ton  by  a  committee  appointed  by  Concord  Presbytery,  consist- 
ing of  Rev.  W.  A.  Wood,  D.  D.  and  Rev.  C.  M.  Payne,  D.  D. 
Dr.  Wood  presided  and  propounded  the  constitutional  ques- 
tions. Dr.  Payne  preached  the  sermon  and  delivered  the  charge 
to  the  pastor,  and  Dr.  Wood  charged  the  people. 

Dr.  Wood  had  become  bound  by  ties  that  he  never  would  con- 
sent to  dissolve,  to  the  church  at  Statesville.    Up  to  the  day  of 


Quaker  Meadows  and  M  org  anion 


53 


his  death,  he  watched  with,  tender  solicitude  over  the  congre- 
gation that  had  been  served  by  his  friend,  Dr.  Anderson  and 
was  always  ready  to  comfort  and  help  bis  people. 

Dr.  Rose  came  to  our  church  well  equipped  for  the  most  use- 
ful pastoral  work.  After  receiving  a  thorough  education  and 
traning  at  the  best  educational  institutions  of  the  land,  he  had 
served  several  congregations  in  cities  and  towns  and  in  the 
rural  districts  and  was  just  winding  up  his  labors  of  many 
years  as  a  general  evangelist,  whose  field  was  the  whole  State. 
It  is  said  that  Moody  told  a  young  preacher  who,  after  the 
lapse  of  twelve  years  spent  at  classical  schools,  colleges  and 
theological  seminary,  when  he  appealed  to  him  for  advice,  that 
the  wisest  thing  he  could  do  would  be  to  start  out  as  a  peddler 
of  something,  preferably  good  books,  and  mix  with  the  country 
people  in  every  part  of  the  State  and  make  himself  familiar 
with  their  mode  of  life,  their  habits  of  thought,  and  their  vir- 
tues and  vices.  Dr.  Rose  in  his  higher  calling  had  been  able 
to  acquire  such  knowledge  of  human  nature  by  mixing  with 
all  classes  as  evangelist.  He  was,  when  he  embarked  upon  that 
work,  one  of  the  best  Bible  scholars  and  theologians  in  the 
State,  and  was  surpassed  by  no  one  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
creed  of  his  own  church  and  in  the  peculiar  rules  of  procedure 
for  the  parlimentary  government  of  its  higher  courts.  He  was 
already  earnest,  laborious  and  spiritual.  His  last  experience 
had  made  him  an  unusually  practical  speaker.  It  is  not  sur- 
prising that  during  his  pastorate  of  many  years,  he  proved  an 
impressive  and  useful  minister.  He  felt  called  upon,  for  reasons 
satisfactory  to  his  own  conscience,  to  accept  other  work,  but  the 
writer  feels  little  doubt  that  both  he  and  not  a  few  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  at  Morganton  have  occasionally  felt  a  pang  of 
regret  when  they  recalled  the  dissolution  of  the  tender  relations 
that  once  existed  between  them. 

Accessions  to  the  Church,  Elections  of  Elders  and  Deacons,  and 
Baptisms,  During  the  Pastorate  of  Rev.  J ohn  M.  Rose. 

June  9,  1893 :  Moulton  Avery  Pbifer  and  Mrs.  D.  A.  Gash 
and  Miss  Annie  Gash  received  on  certificate. 

June  29,  1893:   Mr.  H.  B.  Sprague,  Mr.  J.  T.  Thomason, 


54 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Mrs.  Mamie  S.  Rose,  Miss  Annie  Rose,  and  Master  Hugh  Rose 
received  on  certificate. 

June  30,  1893:  Mrs.  Hallie  Wilson  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

July  2,  1893 :  Mr.  Frank  McDowell  received  on  certificate. 
July  23,  1893 :  Miss  Martha  L.  Sherman  received  on  exami- 
nation. 

August  7 :  Mrs.  E.  Emma  Whisenhant  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

September  24 :  Mrs.  Nancy  J.  Walker  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

October  5 :  Charles  E.  Ross  received  on  certificate. 

October  29  :  Mrs.  Mary  Martha  Thompson  received  on  ex- 
amination and  her  children  baptized. 

December  5,  1893 :  Rev.  J.  M.  Rose  installed  as  pastor. 
Mrs.  Mamie  Moore  Walton  and  Mrs.  Hattie  Berger  received 
on  certificate. 

December  9,  1893 :  Mr.  William  Berger  received  on  exami- 
nation. 

June  30,  1894:  Miss  Jennie  Weeta  Presnell  received-  on 
examination. 

July  8,  1894:  Cornelia  E.  Powell,  Lillie  C.  Amos,  and  Win. 
J.  Swift  admitted  on  examination. 

November  18,  1894 :  Maggie  Duckworth  admitted  on  exami- 
nation. 

January  1,  1895:  Mrs.  Lillian  W.  Avery  received  on  exami- 
nation and  Mrs.  Alice  Ross  on  certificate. 

March  3 :    Mr.  L.  H.  Query  received  on  examination. 

April  21 :  Mr.  Edward  W.  Phifer  received  on  examination. 

July  30 :  Mrs.  Sue  W.  Taylor  received  on  certificate. 

September  12 :  W.  H.  Pearson  received  on  certificate. 

January  22,  1896:  Charles  J.  Bard  received  on  certificate. 

March  24:  Mr.  W.  A.  Leslie,  Mr.  T.  P.  McKoy  and  Mrs. 
Annie  L.  Reid  received  on  certificate. 

April  11 :  Miss  Lillian  Gray  Giles  received  on  examination. 

July  24 :  Mr.  Edwin  G.  Hurd  admitted  on  examination. 

October  18,  1896:  Mr.  William  J.  Ross  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


55 


November  1 :  Miss  Carrie  R.  Stimson  received  on  certificate. 

December  20,  1896:  Mr.  Hugh  Graham  Miller  and  Mr. 
Robert  Craton  Miller  received  on  examination. 

October  9,  1897 :  Miss  Marguerite  Mcol  admitted  on  ex- 
amination. 

October  10,  1897:  Miss  Margaret  Edith  Presnell,  Miss  Ad- 
die  Avery  Erwin  and  Miss  Mary  Burgin  Presnell  admitted  on 
examination. 

February  6,  1898 :  Mr.  Neil  D.  McCormick  admitted  on  ex- 
amination. 

April  1 :  Miss  Irene  Tate  admitted  on  examination. 

April  3 :  Misses  Rosa  Ross,  Maud  Phifer,  Nannie  T.  Pear- 
son and  Lucy  Laxton,  and  Mr.  Willie  Rose  admitted  on  ex- 
amination. 

July  3 :  Edward  Jones  Erwin  admitted  on  examination. 
October  23 :   Mrs.  Edna  Barthold  Kistler  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

February  15,  1899  :  Mrs.  Pattie  T.  Hague  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

June  25 :  Mr.  Isaac  Avery  Phifer  received  on  examination. 
October  1 :  Mr.  Lewis  J.  Webber  and  wife  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

October  15,  1899:  Miss  Annie  Rankin  Moran  received  on 
examination. 

December  31,  1899  :  Miss  Bessie  Dickson  received  on  exami- 
nation. 

Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs. 

Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs  was  born  at  Clinton,  South  Caro- 
lina, in  the  year  1877.  He  is  a  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Jacobs  who 
was  the  founder  of  the  Thornwell  Orphanage  there,  which  he 
managed  for  many  years  and  made  one  of  the  most  useful  and 
beneficent  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  Dr. 
Jacobs  was  instrumental  in  the  establishment  of  Clinton  Col- 
lege, of  which  he  became  the  president  and  the  successful  man- 
ager. 

Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs  was  named,  as  was  the  orphanage, 
for  probably  the  ablest,  most  learned,  powerful,  and  influential 
preacher  who  has  ever  lived   within  the  bounds  represented  by 


56 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


the  Southern  Presbyterian  church.  Dr.  Thornwell  served 
leading  churches,  was  president  both  of  South  Carolina  Uni- 
versity and  the  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  at  Colum- 
bia, and  it  is  a  remarkable  endorsement  of  the  versatility  of  his 
talents,  that  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  always  noted  for  the 
ability  of  her  statesmen,  should,  at  the  most  critical  period  of 
the  Civil  War,  have  chosen  him,  because  of  the  confidence  of 
the  people  in  his  wisdom,  to  represent  that  State  in  the  Senate 
of  the  Confederate  States. 

Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs  began  his  education  at  Clinton,  S. 
C,  under  the  watchful  eye  of  his  good  father,  graduated  at 
that  college  in  1894  and  subsequently  at  Princeton  University 
and  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  in  1899,  and  was  the 
same  year  called  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  Martinsville,  Ya. 

We  find  in  the  minutes  of  the  Session  of  our  church  of  the 
date  of  March  6,  1900,  the  following: 

On  motion  it  was  ordered  that  the  action  of  Rev.  C.  A.  Mon- 
roe, chairman  of  the  Home  Mission  Committee,  in  assisting  the 
Session  in  securing  the  services  of  Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs,  of 
Clinton,  S.  C,  as  stated  supply  for  this  church  for  three 
months,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  approved. 

After  serving  the  church  as  stated  supply  for  three  months, 
Mr.  Jacobs  was  called,  and  was  installed  in  June,  1900.  He 
entered  into  the  work  with  great  zeal,  earnestness  and  enthu- 
siasm. His  influence  over  his  people  was  almost  unprecedented 
and  seemed  to  be  magnetic. 

The  church  owed  more  than  two  thousand  dollars,  a  balance 
due  for  the  manse  and  for  which  its  note  was  outstanding. 
The  creditors  had  naturally  grown  impatient  of  delay  and  were 
pressing  for  payment.  The  debt  was  a  burden  which  tried  the 
members  and  they  had  become  almost  unanimous  in  favor  of 
selling  the  manse  and  buying  a  cheaper  one  on  a  smaller  lot. 
Mr.  Jacobs  insisted  that  the  debt  should  and  would  be  paid  in 
a  short  time.  He  roused  the  congregation  to  enthusiasm  and  by 
means  of  unexpectedly  liberal  contributions  and  raising  money 
from  railroad  excursions,  festivals  and  by  every  means  consid- 
ered proper  and  legitimate,  the  debt  was  discharged  in  a  few 
months.    Such  a  service,  in  the  financial  line,  has  not  been  ren- 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


57 


dered  to  this  church  in  the  time  of  those  now  living,  and  was 
remembered  and  appreciated  by  the  congregation  at  a  later  date, 
when  as  we  shall  see,  Mr.  Jacobs  asked  for  consent  to  be  dis- 
missed to  other  work. 

Later  in  his  ministry,  Mr.  Jacobs,  assisted  by  the  grand  old 
missionary  of  the  mountains  of  Kentucky,  Dr.  Guerrant,  held 
protracted  revival  services  in  the  church,  and  many  good  and 
useful  members  were  brought  into  the  fold  of  the  church,  as 
will  appear  from  a  review  of  the  list  of  accessions,  which  fol- 
lows this  sketch.  Dr.  Guerrant  is  thought  by  some  of  the  lead- 
ing divines  of  our  church  to  have  been  instrumental  in  accom- 
plishing the  most  important  work  that  has  been  done  under 
supervision  of  our  General  Assembly  within  a  generation  past. 
Mr.  Jacobs  entered  into  the  work  with  him  with  an  earnest- 
ness and  enthusiasm  that  brought  cooperation  from  his  church 
generally.  While  a  few  were  so  extreme  as  to  disapprove  of 
calling  upon  persons  interested  to  stand  up  or  extend  their 
hands  to  the  minister,  all  opposition  eventually  subsided  in 
view  of  apparent  good  results.  Among  the  converts  who  were 
added  to  the  church  was  a  sweet  little  girl  who  some  months 
later  died  a  triumphant  death.  She  seemed  to  be  looking  into 
heaven  and  communing  with  friends  who  had  recently  died. 

When,  on  July  9,  1902,  Mr.  Jacobs  asked  the  congregation 
to  agree  that  he  should,  in  accordance  with  the  request  of  his 
father,  be  dismissed  in  order  to  accept  the  vice-presidency  of 
the  Thornwell  Orphanage,  the  congregation  reluctantly  ac- 
ceeded  to  his  request  because  they  felt  the  force  of  the  appeal 
which  came  from  a  man  who  had  founded  a  great  orphanage 
and,  in  every  trying  hour  of  its  existence,  when  there  seemed 
no  hope  of  raising  means  to  maintain  it,  had  prayed  with  con- 
fidence for  what  was  needed  and  seen  his  prayers  answered 
often  in  the  most  unexpected  way.  Prior  to  that  time,  how- 
ever, when,  on  April  20,  1901,  Mr.  Jacobs  had  asked  to  be 
dismissed  to  accept  a  call  to  the  church  at  GafTney,  S.  C,  the 
congregation  had  shown  its  appreciation  of  him  by  passing  the 
following  resolution : 

Whereas,  our  beloved  pastor,  Eev.  Thornwell  Jacobs,  has 
received  a  call  from  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Gaffney,  S.  C, 


58 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


and  whereas  we  are  anxious  to  give  voluntary  expression  of 
our  views  upon  the  question  of  his  severing  his  relations  with 
the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Morganton,  it  is  now,  there- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That,  as  a  congregation,  we  have  watched  with 
thankful  interest  the  good  work  which  he  has  already  been 
instrumental  in  doing  for  our  church,  in  arousing  the  mem- 
bers to  activity  in  Christian  work,  in  bringing  new  member- 
ship into  its  fold,  and  arranging  for  the  payment  of  the  debt, 
a  burden  which  has  hung  so  heavily  upon  the  church,  and  that 
we  find  in  his  plans  for  mission  work  in  various  fields  in  this 
section,  encouragement  for  the  hope  that  great  good  may  be 
accomplished,  if  he  should  be  permitted  to  carry  them  out. 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  request  him  to  refuse  to  sever 
the  ties  that  bind  him  to  his  people,  not  only  because  of  their 
love  for  him,  and  their  united  desire  that  he  should  continue  to 
labor  for  and  with  them,  but  because  of  the  new  fields  that  seem 
to  be  opening  up  for  his  usefulness  around  us. 

Resolved,  That  though  this  meeting  has  been  called  by  the 
members  of  the  congregation,  and  not  at  the  instance  of  the 
Session,  the  Session  be  requested  by  the  secretary  to  record 
these  resolutions  and  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting,  on  its 
minutes  before  the  next  meeting  of  Concord  Presbytery. 

After  discussion  of  Judge  Avery,  Mr.  I.  T.  Avery,  and  others 
of  the  efficient  service  of  the  pastor,  the  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously adopted  by  rising  vote. 

After  the  pastoral  relation  of  Mr.  Jacobs  with  the  church  at 
Morganton  was  dissolved,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Maude  Lesh,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  a  lovely  and  accomplished  lady, 
whom  he  had  met  at  Morganton.  After  remaining  at  Clinton 
and  assisting  his  father  by  teaching  and  preaching  until  the 
latter's  health  was  restored,  Mr.  Jacobs  devoted  himself  to 
charitable  and  literary  work.  He  moved  first  to  Nashville, 
where  he  contributed  to  papers  and  magazines,  and  published 
a  number  of  interesting  stories  and  a  small  volume  of  poems 
which  have  been  kindly  received  by  the  public.  Some  of  these 
volumes  would  be  noticed  more  particularly  if  we  had  the  list 
and  the  books  before  us.  He  wields  a  facile  pen.  He  now 
resides  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  s  the  editor  of  Westminster 
Magazine  and  Secretary  of  a  movement  to  refound  Oglethorpe 
University. 

The  writer  regrets  that  Mr.  Jacobs  is  not  now  engaged  in 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


59 


the  active  work  of  the  ministry,  and  hopes  that  he  is  only  tem- 
porarily engaging  in  other  work,  however  useful  his  labors 
may  prove. 

Accessions  to  the  Church  During  the  Pastorate  of 
Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs. 

March  18,  1900:  Mr.  Z.  T.  Corpening  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

March  25,  1900:  Mr.  John  Martin  received  on  examination. 
April  1,  1900:  Miss  Hope  McAlpine  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

April  8 :  Mrs.  Grace  Bell  received  on  examination. 

April  15:  Mr.  Howard  McP.  Hofstetter  and  wife,  Ollie  M. 
received  on  examination. 

April  22 :  Miss  Leah  Moore  Howard  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

May  13 :  Miss  Loula  Knight  received  on  examination. 
May  20 :  Miss  Augusta  May  Chapman  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

June  17 :   Miss  Lucinda  Harmon  received  on  examination. 

June  24 :  Miss  Kosa  Siegel  admitted  on  examination. 

July  1 :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jarret  received  on  examination. 

July  8 :  Mrs.  E.  J.  Chapman  and  Miss  Nancy  Harmon  re- 
ceived on  examination. 

July  22 :  Misses  Caroline  Chapman,  Sallie  Powell,  Lily 
Jane  Seagle,  and  Miss  Claudia  Cordelia  Wilson  received  on 
profession. 

August  12 :  Mr.  W.  P.  Mabe  received  on  examination.  Miss 
Mae  Murphy  received  on  certificate. 

September -3:  Mrs.  W.  P.  Mabe,  Edgar  Lee  Mabe,  and  Isaac 
Mabe  received  on  examination. 

November  4:  Miss  Eliza  Powell  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Powell 
received  on  examination.  Mrs.  Cora  Pearson  received  on  ex- 
amination. 

April  5,  1901:  Mrs.  O.  A.  Betts,  Miss  Kate  Pearsall  and 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Hull  received  on  examination. 

May  19,  1901 :  Dr.  L.  H.  Cartledge  on  certificate,  and  Gor- 
don Tate,  Robert  Phifer,  Isaac  Tull,  Catherine  Ervin,  Eloise 
Ervin,  Fredreeka  Burr,  Mr.  H.  A.  Howard,  Helen  Howard, 


60 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Morton  Ervin,  Robert  Anderson,  Hugh  Howard,  Julia  Ervin, 
and  Julia  Presnell  on  examination. 

J uly  7 :  Mr.  Charley  Johnson  and  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  John- 
son, Miss  Elsie  Johnson,  Miss  Nellie  B.  Johnson,  Mr.  Luther 
Johnson,  Mrs.  Nancy  Branch,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Avery  received 
on  examination. 

September  11:  Mr.  S.  M.  Goodman  and  Mr.  Charley  For- 
ney received  on  examination. 

January  9,  1902:  Mrs.  E.  H.  Johnston,  Miss  M.  Grace 
Johnston  and  Miss  Martha  Bell  received  on  examination. 

April  9,  1902 :  Mr.  Waightstill  Phifer  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

June  29,  1902 :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Ivistler,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jacob  Ramseur,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kever  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

Rev.  Walter  W.  Edge. 

Rev.  Walter  W.  Edge  was  born  in  Union  County,  South 
Carolina,  September  20,  1876,  and  attended  the  country  schools 
at  home  till  sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  went  to  Greenville, 
S.  C,  where  he  attended  the  city  schools  for  one  year.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  Presbyterian  College  of  S.  C,  at  Clinton, 
S.  C,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  in  1899,  and  entered  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary  in  September,  1899,  where  he  studied 
two  years.  In  the  meantime  he  took  post-graduate  courses 
in  English  in  the  University  of  South  Carolina.  He  attended 
Princeton  Seminary  one  year,  graduating  from  there  in  1902, 
and  taking  post-graduate  work  in  Princeton  University  in 
Philosophy  the  same  year. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Edge  was  licensed  by  Enoree  Presbytery  (S.  C.) 
in  April,  1901,  and  ordained  by  West  Jersey  Presbytery  (N. 
J.)  on  May  20,  1902,  at  which  time  he  was  installed  pastor  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  at  Glassboro,  1ST.  J.  He  resigned  the 
pastorate  of  the  Glassboro  church  in  October,  1902,  and  went 
South. 

For  about  three  months  before  Mr.  Edge  came  to  Morgan- 
ton  Rev.  T.  D.  Johnston,  a  young  minister  who  had  been  fill- 
ing the  place  of  his  father,  a  returned  missionary  from  Tur- 
key, in  preaching  to  the  church  at  Glen  Alpine,  supplied  the 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  61 


church  very  acceptably  and  made  a  most  pleasant  impression 
upon  our  people. 

Mr.  Edge  was  called  to  the  church  at  Morganton  in  Novem- 
ber,  1902  and  was  installed  as  pastor  in  February,  1903. 

Mr.  Edge  came  to  us  almost  direct  from  the  seminary  and 
college;  but  he  came  thoroughly  equipped.  He  had  received 
almost  identically  the  same  training  in  the  schools  that  his  im- 
mediate predecessor  had  received.  He  had  been  the  pupil  of 
Dr.  Jacobs  and  had  felt  the  inspiration  of  his  abounding  faith, 
and  had  improved  his  excellent  opportunities  for  culture  at 
Princeton.  Mr.  Edge  was  developing  and  becoming  a  strong, 
earnest  and  impressive  preacher  when  he  received  a  call  to  an- 
other field.  He  was  notified  that  a  large  congregation  in  a 
State  farther  South  wished  his  services  and  the  field  seemed  to 
be  an  inviting  one,  with  the  offer  of  a  satisfactory  salary.  Soon 
after,  however,  he  was  surprised  when  after  accepting  the 
call  and  being  dismissed  to  take  effect  January  1,  1905,  he  was 
notified  that  the  congregation  which  had  called  him  had  agreed 
to  unite  with  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  congregation  in  the 
same  town. 

After  hearing  of  this  inexcusably  bad  treatment  to  him  the 
congregation  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  at  Morganton 
was  anxious  to  recall  him,  had  he  not  notified  the  Session  that 
he  had  considered  the  matter  prayerfully  and  felt  reluctantly 
compelled  to  refuse  to  consider  such  a  call.  He  loved  his  peo- 
ple here,  however,  and  they  were  devoted  to  him.  The  people 
here  are  pleased  to  know  that  he  finds  his  present  duty  very 
pleasant,  and  that  his  prospects  of  usefulness  are  very  en- 
couraging. 

Before  coming  to  Morganton  Mr.  Edge  was  married  to  Miss 
Brannon,  the  daughter  of  a  prominent  lawyer  in  Georgia, 
whose  ripe  scholarship,  exemplary  life  and  cheerful  disposition 
made  her  a  fit  helpmeet  in  his  work. 

During  his  useful  pastorate  of  over  two  years,  Mrs.  Edge 
cooperated  so  far  as  possible,  and  sympathized  with  him  in 
every  effort  to  serve  and  honor  his  Master. 

After  leaving  Morganton  Mr.  Edge  was  pastor  at  Fleming- 
ton,  Ga.,  from  April,  1905  to  December,  1906;  at  Davis,  W. 


62 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Va.,  from  December,  1906  to  September,  1910;  at  Laurel,  Md., 
from  September,  1910,  to  October,  1912. 

He  was  installed  as  pastor  at  Manasquan,  New  Jersey,  bis 
present  cbarge,  October,  1912. 

Accessions  to  the  Church  During  the  Pastorate  of 
Rev.  Walter  Edge. 
December  28,  1902 :  Mrs.  Maud  Edge  received  on  certificate. 
April  3,  1903 :   Mrs.  Laura  Taylor,  Miss  Lois  Taylor  and 
Mr.  Balbous  Branch  admitted  on  examination. 

May  10,  1903 :  Mrs.  J.  R.  Wortman  received  on  examina- 
tion. 

July  12 :  John  Tull  admitted  on  examination. 

October  25 :  Mrs.  Fred  Turner  received  on  certificate. 

January  3,  1904:  Mr.  E.  L.  Bell  received  on  examination. 

May  22,  1904:  Miss  Sarah  Herring  received  on  examination 
and  Miss  Maude  Smith  received  on  certificate. 

July  17,  1904:  Miss  Elizabeth  McDowell  received  on  exami- 
nation, and  Mrs.  Nannie  Fleming  Jeter  on  certificate  from 
Raleigh. 

August  21 :  Miss  Annie  McDowell  received  on  certificate 
and  Miss  Florence  Perry  on  examination. 

September  4:  Miss  Virginia  Middleton  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

October  2 :  Miss  Mary  Erwin  Moran  admitted  on  examina- 
ation,  and  Misses  Mabel  and  Ellen  Foister  and  Mr.  Robert  C. 
Miller  admitted  on  certificate. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Hollingsworth. 

The  writer  regrets  that  for  some  reason  which  doubtless  will 
be  explained  later,  Mr.  Hollingsworth  has  overlooked  till  too 
late,  a  request  to  furnish  data  in  reference  to  his  early  life  and 
education  and  previous  pastorates,  which  he  has  been  so  fortu- 
nate as.  to  secure  in  reference  to  his  predecessors. 

It  having  become  desirable  that  the  writer  should  finish  his 
work  at  an  early  date,  he  has  instituted  inquiry  to  supply  the 
missing  data  from  other  sources. 

Mr.  Hollingsworth  was  born  at  Ga.,  on  the 

day  of  18         (about  1870,  we 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


63 


think).  He  entered  Davidson  College  in  the  year  18  and 
graduated  four  years  later,  after  taking  a  high  stand  through- 
out his  course  .  He  received  his  training  for  the  ministry  at 
Seminary.  He  diligently  improved  his  op- 
portunities and  became  a  ripe  scholar.  He  acquired  unusual 
familiarity  with  the  Scriptures  and  was  able  readily  to  recall 
apt  passages  for  quotation.  It  seemed  to  afford  him  pleasure  to 
impart  Bible  instruction  to  his  people,  young  and  old,  who 
joined  classes  taught  by  him.  He  had  also  acquired  thorough 
and  acurate  knowledge  of  the  history  and  creed  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  A  series  of  sermons  preached  by  him  on  the 
Westminister  Confession  would  prove  useful  and  interesting  if 
published,  to  those  who  seek  information  upon  those  subjects. 

Mr.  Hollingsworth  evinced  great  interest  in  Foreign  and 
Domestic  Missions.  He  induced  his  people  to  agree  to  support 
a  missionary  at  the  Stewart  Hospital  in  China. 

By  his  earnest  and  persistent  effort  the  congregation  was  in- 
duced to  greatly  improve  the  church  and  to  provide  a  place 
therein  for  a  pipe  organ,  purchased  by  them.  The  appearance 
of  the  improved  church  and  the  inside  decoration  are  a  monu- 
ment to  his  good  judgment  and  good  taste,  displayed  in  super- 
vising the  work.  He  deserves  the  more  credit  because  some 
of  us  expressed  grave  apprehension  that  the  work  would  not 
prove  acceptable. 

He  was  called  by  the  First  Presbyterian  church  at  Morgan- 
ton  at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  on  the  13th  of  August, 
1905,  accepted  the  call,  and  was  subsequently  installed;  but  by 
some  strange  mishap  there  is  no  record  of  the  time  of  his  in- 
stallation in  the  proceedings  of  the  Session. 

He  tendered  his  resignation  as  pastor  and  asked  the  congre- 
gation to  join  him  in  the  request  to  be  dismissed  to  Orange 
Presbytery.  He  was  accordingly  transferred  and  was  placed 
in  charge  of  a  church  school  established  by  Orange  Presbytery 
in  Alleghany  County.  Those  who  knew  Mr.  Hollingsworth 
well  were  prepared  to  hear  that  he  had  succeeded  in  building 
up  a  good  school  as  he  has  done.  He  is  a  fine  scholar,  studious, 
industrious  and  attentive  to  duties  and  has  especially  the  gift 
of  imparting  knowledge  to  pupils. 


64 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


He  had  married  before  coming  to  Morganton  a  very  attract- 
ive and  accomplished  lady,  Miss  Julia  Castex,  of  Goldsboro. 
She  joined  heartily  in  church  work,  helped  to  improve  the 
choir,  and  won  the  hearts  of  our  people.  She,  also,  has 
strengthened  the  faith  of  some  of  us  in  the  efficacy  of  the 
prayers  of  the  old  ladies  heretofore  mentioned. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wright — Revivalist. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Hollingsworth  a  revival  meet- 
ing was  conducted  in  the  graded  school  auditorium,  by  invita- 
tion from  the  Presbyterian  church,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wright,  the 
celebrated  Indian  evangelist  of  Oklahoma.  He  is  a  powerful 
pulpit  orator  and  an  earnest  and  spiritual  and  enthusiastic 
Christian.  Few,  if  any,  of  our  ministers  have  ever  made  a 
deeper  or  more  lasting  impression  for  good  upon  the  people 
of  this  community.  He  had  a  beautiful  voice  and  his  singing 
charmed  the  people  as  much  as  his  oratory.  The  meeting  re- 
sulted in  a  number  of  accessions  to  the  membership  of  our 
churches  of  all  denominations. 

Accessions  to  the  Church  During  the  Pastorate  of 
Rev.  W.  F.  Hollingsworth. 

August  6,  1905 :  Miss  Annie  Louise  Ross  and  Miss  Atwood 
Hunt  admitted  on  examination. 

October  8 :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loven  received  on  examination. 

February  5,  1906 :  Mrs.  Julia  C.  Hollingsworth  received  on 
certificate. 

April  1,  1906 :  Samuel  Ben  Howard,  Harry  Moore  Wal- 
ton, Charles  W.  Tull,  Charles  Evers  Johnston,  Sarah  Cole 
Taylor,  Lila  W.  Anderson,  Lilian  Avery  and  Mary  Sue  Bell 
received  on  examination. 

April  6 :  Mrs.  McKenzie  Reeves  Rusmisell  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

May  27 :  Dr.  C.  E.  Ross  and  Mr.  E.  L.  Bell  ordained  deacons. 

July  2 :   Miss  Eva  Parsons  received  on  examination. 

September  3  :  Miss  Florence  Marshall  Huet,  Miss  Ophelia 
Carter,  Miss  Cornelia  Carter  and  Mrs.  Carter  received  on 
certificate. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  65 


November  4:  Mr.  T.  Y.  Archer  received  on  certificate,  and 
Alphonso  L.  Silver  and  William  R.  Garland  received  on  ex- 
amination. 

December  2 :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  C.  Chaffie  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

March  3,  1907 :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  McDowell  received  on 
certificate,  and  Lucile  Edmondson,  Julius  C.  Mills,  Noah  M. 
Green,  Jonathan  Farrior,  James  R.  Mozinga,  and  George  W. 
Wilson  (pupils  at  the  D.  &  D.  School),  were  received  on  exami- 
nation. 

May  5 :  Hattie  Howard,  Annie  Parsons  and  Mr.  J.  D.  Boger 
received  on  examination,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  B.  Parks  on 
certificate. 

June  2 :  Linwood  Edmondson  and  Merle  Smith  (pupils  of 
D.  &  D.  School)  received  on  examination. 

June  16 :  Mr.  Ed  Alexander  received  on  certificate. 

July  14:  Margaret  Ervin  received  on  examination. 

August  11 :  Katherine  Boss,  Martha  Boss,  Charles  Boss, 
Eva  Walton,  Maggie  Newland,  Edward  Ervin,  Samuel  Ervin, 
Erasmus  Taylor,  Andrew  Bell,  Barclay  Huet,  Leonard  Hayes 
Walker  were  received  on  examination. 

October  6 :  Edith  Avery  received  on  certificate. 

February  9,  1908 :  Mrs.  Edna  Bryan  Miller  received  on 
certificate.    Walton  Avery  received  on  examination. 

March  29  :  Mrs.  Lola  Campbell  and  Dr.  L.  G.  Beall  received 
on  examination. 

August  16 :  Miss  Nora  Morrow  received  on  certificate. 

October  4:  Miss  Elizabeth  B.  Kellog  received  on  certificate. 

February  3,  1909:  Mrs.  Robert  C.  Miller  and  Mr.  A.  M. 
Ingold  received  on  certificate. 

March  14,  1909 :  A.  M.  Ingold,  Dr.  L.  G.  Beall,  C.  D.  For- 
ney, and  J.  D.  Boger  were  elected  deacons;  and  Messrs.  I.  T. 
Avery,  J.  A.  Dickson,  S.  J.  Ervin  and  T.  Y.  Archer  were 
elected  elders. 

April  4:  Miss  Yirginia  Linfield  received  on  examination. 
July  4,  1909  :  Elizabeth  Murphy  Taylor  received  on  exami- 
nation. 
3 


66 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


January  2,  1910:  Miss  Minnie  Morris  received  on  cer- 
tificate. 

April  3 :  Mrs.  E.  W.  Holton,  Dr,  A.  S.  Houck,  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet E.  Houck  and  Miss  Amelia  Houck  received  on  certificate. 

July  3:  Elizabeth  Anderson,  Mabel  Miller,  Hugh  Miller, 
Miss  Virginia  Rich  were  received  on  examination,  and  E.  W. 
Holton  on  certificate. 

October  2 :  Mrs.  T.  V.  Archer  and  Miss  Francina  Aursler 
received  by  certificate. 

February  5,  1911 :  Mrs.  Maggie  T.  McCampbell  received  on 
certificate. 

April  2,  1911 :  Mrs.  Lula  Ethel  Smith,  Laura  Cornelia 
Howard,  Hugh  Tate  Ervin,  John  Derr  Boger,  Jr.,  and  Robert 
Alexander  Ross  were  received  on  examination. 

December  10;   Miss  Julia  Potts  received  on  certificate. 

Interval  Between  the  End  of  Mr.  Hollings worth's  Pastorate 
and  the  Call  of  His  Successor. 

For  some  reason  a  large  number  of  the  members  of  the  con- 
gregation conceived  the  idea,  soon  after  Mr.  Hollingsworth 
left  for  his  new  field,  that  Dr.  Cornelson  would  leave  New 
Orleans  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  would  then  accept 
a  call  to  Morganton.  This  question  could  not  be  settled  till 
after  Dr.  Cornelson  should  return  to  New  Orleans  in  the  fall. 

Consequently  the  church  was  supplied  many  months  by  a 
number  of  pulpit  orators  from  various  sections,  and  our  people 
were  pleased  with  Mr.  Doak,  Mr.  Shives  and  others,  who  were 
kind  enough  to  supply  the  church,  but  still  clung  to  the  hope  of 
getting  Mr.  Cornelson,  until  on  a  formal  call,  Mr.  Cornelson 
declined  to  accept. 

Rev.  R.  C.  Anderson  who  had  agreed  to  devote  his  time  to 
raising  money  to  defray  the  debt  incurred  for  the  purchase 
and  improvement  of  land  at  Montreat,  served  the  church  most 
of  the  time,  however,  as  stated  supply,  and  the  congregation 
were  more  than  pleased  with  him.  He  thought  for  some  time 
that  he  might  accept  a  call  after  the  lapse  of  some  months, 
and  meantime  might  preach  for  a  part  of  the  time;  but  find- 
ing that  he  could  not  finish  his  work  for  a  long  time,  he  re- 
luctantly declined  the  call  when  at  last  made. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 
Rev.  C.  E.  Gregory. 


67 


To  use  the  language  generally  applied  to  secular  offices,  we 
now  come  down  to  the  time  of  the  present  incumbent. 

In  response  to  calls  for  help  sent  out  by  the  church  at  Mor- 
ganton, Rev.  C.  E.  Gregory  agreed  to  come  over  from  Bun- 
combe at  noon  and  night.  When  the  congregation  was  dis- 
missed at  noon,  the  inquiry  was  on  the  lips  of  every  one,  "Will 
he  listen  to  a  call  ?"  At  the  close  of  the  night  service,  the  ques- 
tion was  whether  we  had  better  call  him  without  delay  lest 
some  other  church  would  get  ahead  of  us. 

Mr.  Gregory  had  resigned  as  pastor  of  a  large  congregation 
at  Dansville,  1ST.  Y.,  in  consequence  of  ill-health,  and  had  come 
to  Asheville,  where  he  had  been  treated  for  two  years,  and  upon 
being  discharged  from  the  hospital,  had  engaged  in  evangelical 
work,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  church 
at  Jupiter  in  Buncombe  County.  While  so  engaged  he  had 
been  asked  by  our  friends  at  Montreat  to  supply  our  church  for 
one  service.  After  hearing  him,  it  became  apparent  that  there 
was  a  unanimous  sentiment  in  favor  of  securing  his  services, 
and  in  order  to  forestall  action  by  any  other  church,  it  was 
agreed  to  call  a  congregational  meeting  at  the  earliest  day 
possible  under  the  rules  of  the  church,  and  meantime,  to  give 
informal  notice  to  him  that  he  might  expect  a  unanimous  call, 
which  call  was  made  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  22d  of  April, 
1912. 

Rev.  Carey  Ellis  Gregory  was  born  at  Warfordsburg,  Pa., 
January  5,  1874.  He  was  graduated  from  Wooster  University 
with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1897,  and  received  his  A.  M.  de- 
gree from  Princeton  University  in  1900.  He  finished  Prince- 
ton Theological  Seminary  in  1901. 

Mr.  Gregory  and  his  wife  entered  the  same  class  at  the  Synod- 
ical  Presbyterian  college  at  Wooster,  Ohio,  which  was  co- 
educational, and  pursued  their  studies  together,  including  the 
regular  curriculum,  with  all  that  is  imported  by  the  term,  up 
to  graduation.  It  is  not  a  marvel  that  they  should  have  worked 
in  harmony  since  their  marriage  on  July  10,  1901. 

Having  agreed  to  accept  the    call  to  the  Morganton  church, 


68 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Mr.  Gregory  began  to  serve  the  church  by  preaching  on  the 
2d  day  of  June,  1912,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  on  the  16th 
day  of  June,  1912,  Rev.  C.  A.  Monroe  and  Elder  Gaither  Hall 
officiating  at  the  ceremony. 

Since  his  installation  his  people  have  continued  to  listen  to 
his  preaching  with  unabated  interest  and  large  numbers  from 
other  churches  have  been  drawn  to  listen  to  his  sermons  and 
lectures.  The  hope  and  prayer  of  his  people  is  that  he  may 
not  overtax  his  strength  and  may  be  spared  to  minister  to  them 
spiritually  for  many  years  to  come. 

It  is  not  improper  to  say  that  the  faith  of  the  writer  and 
others  in  the  answer  to  fervent  prayer  has  been  strengthened 
also  since  Mrs.  Gregory  has  entered  upon  her  duties  as  a  co- 
worker and  companion  of  her  husband. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


69 


THE  PLAN  AND  SCOPE  OF  THESE  SKETCHES 

While  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  writer  to  prepare,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  early  record,  largely  from  family  tradition,  an  alpha- 
betical list  of  all  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Burke 
•  County,  whether  residing  in  the  bounds  of  Quaker  Meadows, 
Morganton,  or  Silver  Creek  chapel,  it  is  no  part  of  the  plan 
of  this  work  to  write  biographical  sketches  of  all  ministers 
who  supplied  any  of  these  churches,  either  during  the  interval 
between  the  pastorates  of  Dr.  J.  McKamie  Wilson,  ending  in 
1801,  and  the  beginning  of  that  of  Rev.  Chauncey  Eddy  about 
twenty  years  later,  or  of  any  ministers  who  have  preached  for 
the  Quaker  Meadows  people  proper  or  at  Glen  Alpine,  near 
the  old  Silver  Creek  chapel  within  the  past  forty  years.  It  is, 
however,  the  writer's  purpose  before  appending  such  list  of 
members,  to  write  short  biographical  sketches  of  all  of  -the 
elders  who  officiated  at  Quaker  Meadows,  Morganton  and  Sil- 
ver Creek  and  who  passed  away  while  still  in  harness,  but  not 
of  elders,  living  or  dead,  who  have  been  dismissed  to  join  other 
churches. 

Short  Sketches  of  Some  of  the  Elders  of  the  Churches 
at  Quaker  Meadows  and  at  Morganton. 

Silver  Creek  was  a  part  of  the  same  organization  as  the  Mor- 
ganton church  and  the  officers  of  the  two  churches  were  the 
same  up  to  the  recent  organization  of  a  church  at  Glen  Alpine. 

When  the  church  at  Quaker  Meadows  was  first  organized, 
certainly  prior  to  1784  and  probably  about  the  year  1778,  after 
the  establishment  x)f  Burke  County  in  the  year  1777,  according 
to  our  best  information,  the  ruling  elders  were  John  Duck- 
worth, Robert  Penland  and,  probably,  David  Yance.  Samuel 
Alexander  must  have  been  ordained  a  little  later,  somewhere 
about  the  year  1784  and,  William  W.  Erwin,  who  was  not  born 
until  1764,  must  have  been  ordained  after  1790  and  about  1795, 
when  Dr.  J.  McKamie  Wilson  became  the  pastor  of  the  church. 


70 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Elder  John  Duckworth. 

Elder  John  Duckworth  was  born  in  the  year  1757. 
He  was  in  the  very  earliest  history  of  the  church  a  very  zealous 
and  active  elder  and  according  to  tradition  he  was  an  earnest 
and  exemplary  Christian.  During  the  first  forty  years  after 
the  church  was  planted  in  Burke  County,  he  seems  to  have  rep- 
resented the  churches  of  Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  in 
Presbytery  oftener  than  any  other  elder.  It  was  he  who  in- 
sisted at  a  meeting  of  Concord  Presbytery,  that  Rev.  John 
Silliman  should  be  ordained  by  order  of  Presbytery  and  al- 
lowed to  accept  a  call,  in  place  of  Rev.  Chauncey  Eddy.  At 
one  of  the  meetings  of  Presbytery  it  was  recorded  of  him  that 
he  was  to  subscribe  to  a  fund  that  was  being  raised  for  some 
good  purpose  and  gave  what  seemed  to  be  a  liberal  sum,  to-wit : 
three  dollars.  Like  most  other  Presbyterians  of  that  day,  he 
was  an  ardent  friend  of  liberty  and  missed  no  opportunity  to 
strike  a  blow  for  the  cause.  He  was  wounded  at'  Ramsaur's 
Mill,  and  before  he  fully  recovered  from  his  wound,  fought 
gallantly  as  a  private  in  McDowell's  regiment  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. The  bullet  was  not  extracted  from  his  body  until  late 
in  life  and  was  exhibited  by  Governor  Morehead  when  speak- 
ing to  an  audience,  as  a  candidate  for  governor,  in  1842. 

Among  his  descendants  were  a  number  of  members  of  the 
Silver  Creek  congregation,  the  children  and  grandchildren  of 
his  son,  Daunt  Duckworth,  and  his  daughter,  Sallie,  wife  of 
Thomas  Morrison. 

He  died  November  6,  1843,  aged  86  years,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Presbyterian  churchyard  at  Morganton.  JSTear  to  his  grave 
repose  the  remains  of  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Jane  Duckworth 
Kibler. 

Elder  Robert  Penland. 
Elder  Robert  Penland  was  one  of  the  first  ruling  elders  or- 
dained at  Quaker  Meadows.  He  was  born  on  the 
17  .  He  came  to  the  County  of  Burke  with 
the  advance  guard  of  the  Scotch-Irish  colony  that  moved  across 
Maryland  and  Virginia  to  the  Carolinas.  He  settled  in  the 
valley  of  Canoe  creek  above  the  lands  entered  in  the  office  of 
the  Earl  of  Granville  a  short  time  before  by  Hugh  McDowell 
and  John  McDowell.    He  was  married  on  the  of 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


71 


to  Elizabeth  Brank,  daughter  of  Peter  Brank,  who  settled  at 
the  place  where  Br.  William  C.  Tate  afterwards  lived,  now  the 
farm  of  Mr.  R,  K.  Presnell,  who  married  his  great  grand- 
daughter, daughter  of  Robert  Alexander,  and  is  now  an  elder 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  at  Morganton. 
.  The  widow  of  Peter  Brank  was  one  of  the  three  women  who 
were  scalped  by  the  Indians  in  the  incursion  of  1777  and  who 
survived  their  barbarous  wounds  for  many  years.  The  other 
two  being  Mrs.  Hunter,  the  ancestress  of  scores  of  leading 
residents  of  Burke  and  McDowell  Counties,  and  Mrs.  McFalls, 
who  lived  on  the  east  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  husbands  of 
these  three  women,  fortunately  for  them,  happened  to  be  absent 
from  home.  It  is  said  that  the  children  and  husbands  of  Mrs. 
Brank  and  Mrs.  Hunter  showed  them  a  sympathy  and  devotion 
which  almost  amounted  to  worship  until  they  died.  Peter 
Brank,  however,  died  soon  after  and  probably  before  the  close 
of  the  War  for  Independence.  The  writer  has  seen  a  descrip- 
tion in  one  of  the  grants  under  which  John  Rutherford  claimed 
on  Muddy  creek,  the  descriptive  words  "joining  the  lands  of 
Brank's  orphans."  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Penland  was  the  sister  of 
Robert  Brank,  a  dashing  soldier  in  the  command  of  Captain 
David  Yance  of  McDowell's  regiment,  and,  as  will  appear 
later,  was  also  the  sister  of  Priscilla  Brank,  who  married 
David  Vance. 

Robert  Penland  was  not  only  a  devoted  Christian,  who  was 
always  mindful  of  his  Master's  work,  but  when  duty  demanded 
his  services  he  enlisted  in  McDowell's  regiment  and  fought 
bravely  in  the  battles  of  King's  Mountain,  Ramsaur's  Mill  and 
Musgrove's  Mill,  and  probably  at  Cowpens. 

The  piety  of  "Father"  Penland,  as  he  was  affectionately 
called,  seemed  to  have  inspired,  amongst  those  who  lived  in  his 
neighborhood,  a  degree  of  reverence  that  has  seldom  been 
known.  The  writer  recalls  the  kindly  way  in  which  his  mother 
spoke  of  the  venerable  old  man.  She  said  that  it  sometimes 
happened  that,  like  all  the  men  of  his  day,  he  walked  about  the 
neighborhood  with  his  gun  upon  his  shoulder  taking  the 
chance  of  getting  within  range  of  a  deer,  and  that  he  would 
come  in  and  place  his  gun  in  the  corner  of  the  room  and  after 


72 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


sl  short  sojourn,  would  ask  that  the  family  be  called  together 
for  prayers.  This  was  what  the  old  time  elder,  trained  by  the 
followers  of  John  Knox,  deemed  his  duty. 

As  will  appear  later,  his  daughter  Jane  was  the  wife  of 
Elder  Samuel  Alexander,  and  his  son  Henry  Penland  moved 
to  Buncombe  County  and  was  the  father  of  the  late  Milton 
Penland,  of  Asheville,  and  Robert  Penland,  of  Bakersville,  and 
his  daughter,  Nellie,  married  Nathan  Gibson  and  was  the  grand- 
mother of  Judge  Garland  S.  Ferguson. 

The  name  of  the  dashing  soldier-son  of  Peter  Brank,  re- 
ferred to  above  (Robert  Brank),  brother  of  Mrs.  Vance,  has 
been  perpetuated  by  Doctor  Robert  Brank  Yance,  who  was 
elected  to  Congress  in  1824,  and  who  was  killed  in  a  duel  by 
Hon.  Samuel  P.  Carson  in  1826.  General  Robert  Brank 
Yance,  who  represented  the  mountain  district  in  Congress  for 
twelve  years,  was  a  later  namesake. 

Many  false  alarms  had  kept  the  families  north  of  the  Ca- 
tawba ready  to  move  into  the  fort  on  the  hill  north  of  Flem- 
ing's Ford,  on  short  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  Cherokees, 
before  the  final  incursion  by  that  tribe  in  1777.  McDowell's 
command  had  been  called  out  and  were  on  duty  out  of  the 
county  when  the  Indians  finally  rushed  in.  But  Robert  Pen- 
land  had  been  sent  home  as  the  safest  man  to  entrust  with  the 
duty  of  helping  families  to  the  fort  and  of  assisting  other  com- 
rades left  at  home  for  their  protection.  When  the  alarm  came 
he  left  his  younger  brother  to  remove  his  own  family  and  the 
boy  could  only  induce  Penland's  wife  to  leave  her  home  by 
placing  her  children  upon  a  horse  and  starting  to  the  fort 
with  them.  For  some  reason  Penland  had  not  yet  removed  his 
mother-in-law,  Mrs.  Brank,  from  her  home  at  the  Dr.  Tate, 
or  Presnell  place,  which  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river 
and  less  than  a  mile  distant  from  the  fort,  before  the  Indians 
reached  her  home,  scalped  her  and  left  her  for  dead,  as  already 
mentioned. 

Robert  Penland  died  at  his  home  on  Canoe  creek,  April  19, 
1828. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


73 


Elder  Samuel  Alexander. 

Samuel  Alexander  was  born  on  the  of  17  , 

at  the  home  of  his  father,  in  what  was  then  Orange,  now  Ala- 
mance County,  his  father  having  come  down  from  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  advance  guard  of  the  Scotch-Irish  settlers  who 
turned  southeastward  about  the  Virginia  line  to  avoid  trouble 
with  the  Indians  of  the  West.  Samuel  Alexander,  it  is  under- 
stood, served  when  quite  young,  as  a  lieutenant  in  Captain 
David  Vance's  company  of  McDowell's  regiment,  fought  in 
that  command  at  Cowpens,  Eamsaur's  Mill  and  King's  Moun- 
tain, and  in  one  of  those  battles  at  least,  received  a  serious 
wound. 

Mrs.  Claudia  Erwin  Poe,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Col.  J.  J. 
Erwin,  and  a  great  granddaughter  of  Alexander  Erwin,  has 
recently  published  an  article  in  the  Durham  Sun  which  will 
prove  interesting  as  a  piece  of  local  history,  to  the  people  of 
this  county,  and  especially  to  the  Alexanders  and  Erwins,  whose 
family  friendships  have  continued  from  the  first  settlement  of 
the  country  to  the  present  time. 

The  article  is  as  follows : 

INCIDENTS  OF  ERWINS  AND  ALEXANDERS 

The  families  were  neighbors  and  friends.  Alexander  Erwin 
was  away  from  home  in  the  service  of  his  country,  leaving  his 
wife  in  charge  of  the  family.  A  neighbor,  Mr.  Alexander, 
came  to  her  house  ill.  She  took  him  into  a  shed-room,  where 
she  hoped  to  hide  him  from  the  Tories,  until  he  was  able  to 
return  to  camp.  But  a  raiding  party  rode  up  to  her  door,  and 
called  for  the  men  to  come  out  of  the  house,  ordering  search  to 
be  made  and  capture  of  all  Whigs.  She  tried  to  keep  them  out. 
When  the  house  had  been  plundered  and  swords  run  into  every 
bed  and  corner,  they  came  to  the  door  of  the  shed-room.  Mrs. 
Erwin  stood  at  the  door  refusing  to  admit  them.  But  thrust- 
ing her  aside,  they  rushed  at  the  wounded  man,  and  one  of 
them,  drawing  a  sword,  was  in  the  act  of  striking  Mr.  Alexan- 
der, when  Mrs.  Erwin  threw  herself,  with  her  right  arm  over 
his  (Mr.  Alexander's)  head,  between  the  Tory  and  Mr.  Alex- 
ander, receiving  a  dreadful  wound  which  maimed  her  for  life. 

This  story  was  related  by  Mary  E.  Wilson  Chambers  to  her 
children.  Mrs.  Chambers  was  a  granddaughter  of  Alexander 
Erwin  and  Sarah  Bobinson  Erwin,  through  their  daughter, 


74 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Mary  Erwin  who  married  Rev.  Dr.  John  McKamie  Wilson, 
one  time  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Quaker  Mead- 
ows, near  Morganton.  Mrs.  Chambers  saw  Mr.  Alexander  when 
he  was  an  old  bald-headed  man  with  a  deep  scar  on  his  fore- 
head, and  he  then  told  her  this  story.  The  written  story,  as 
copied,  was  obtained  from  Mrs.  Octavia  Chambers  Hinish, 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Mary  E.  W.  Chambers. 

Samuel  Alexander  was  married  to  Jane  Penland,  daughter 
of  Robert  Penland,  on  the  of  ,  17    ,  and  was 

the  father  of  William  Alexander,  who  removed  to  Cherokee 
County;  of  Thomas  Alexander;  of  Robert  Alexander;  of 
James  Alexander ;  and  of  Samuel  Alexander ;  and  of  Ker- 
ley,  wife  of  Aaron  Kerley,  of  Moore,  wife  of 

Moore.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  a  number  of  living  Presby- 
terians, including  Mrs.  Cornelia  Avery,  Mrs.  Ophelia  Carter, 
Davis  Alexander,  Ed  Alexander,  the  children  of  Mrs.  Laura 
Howard,  deceased,  and  of  Mrs.  R.  K.  Presnell. 

Samuel  Alexander,  as  intimated  above,  was  not  probably 
ordained  as  elder  so  early  as  was  his  father-in-law,  Robert 
Penland,  and  we  infer  from  circumstances  that  David  Vance 
was  ordained  an  elder  at  Quaker  Meadows  either  before  or 
soon  after  Samuel  Alexander  was  ordained.  Alexander  Erwin, 
who  was  the  father-in-law  of  J.  McKamie  Wilson,  Sr.,  was  also 
a  lieutenant  in  Vance's  company.  Returning  from  the  battle 
of  King's  Mountain,  he  led  the  horse  of  Joseph  Patton,  who 
was  killed  and  whose  widow  he  subsequently  married. 

His  name  comes  down  to  us  by  tradition  as  one  who  won  the 
respect  of  the  public  and  the  unbounded  confidence  of  his 
neighbors  by  his  piety  as  well  as  his  integrity.  The  influence 
of  the  character  which  he  established  as  he  went  in  and  out 
before  the  people  seems  to  have  been  transmitted  to  his  de- 
scendants down  to  the  present  time.    He  died  April  26,  1842. 

Eldek  David  Vance. 

David  Vance  was  born  in  Virginia  about  A.  D.  1745  and 
moved  to  North  Carolina  about  1775.  He  settled  in  what  was 
then  Rowan  County,  but  is  now  included  in  Burke  County 
which  was  established  by  the  Legislature  in  1777.  He  was 
married  during  the  War  for  Independence  to  Priscilla,  daugh- 


Quaker-  Meadows  and  Morganton  75 


ter  of  Peter  Brank,  who  lived  at  the  Tate  or  Presnell  place  at  a 
beautiful  location  about  one  mile  north  of  Morganton,  where 
Dr.  William  C.  Tate  afterwards  built.  He  settled  on  the 
Brank  place  and  lived  there  until  he  removed  to  Reems'  creek 
in  Buncombe  County  in  about  1786. 

He  served  as  an  ensign  under  Washington  at  Brandywine, 
Germantown  and  Valley  Forge,  before  removing  to  North  Car- 
olina. He  was  captain  of  a  company  in  McDowell's  regiment, 
of  which  Samuel  Alexander  was  a  lieutenant,  and  served  with 
distinction  at  Cowpens,  Ramsaur's  Mill  and  King's  Mountain. 
He  and  Robert  Henry  prepared,  while  surveying  the  North 
Carolina  and  Tennessee  line,  an  account  of  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain,  which  was  published  in  pamphlet  form  about 
twenty  years  ago  and  is  a  valuable  contribution  to  revolution- 
ary history. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  meeting  of  the  Session  of  Quaker 
Meadows  church  or  of  Orange  Presbytery  prior  to  the  forma- 
tion of  Concord  Presbytery  in  1788,  from  which  we  can  de- 
termine definitely  who  were  the  earliest  elders.  Captain  David 
Vance  moved  to  Reems'  creek  before  1788  and  not  long  there- 
after was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  established  there. 
We  infer  from  circumstances,  that  he  probably  acted  as  elder 
at  Quaker  Meadows  before  his  removal  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge. 
He  was  the  father  of  David  Vance,  Jr.,  and  the  grandfather  of 
Governor  Zebulon  B.  Vance  and  Hon.  R.  B.  Vance.  He  died 
in  the  year  1813. 

Elder  William  Willoughby  Erwin. 

William  Willoughby  Erwin  was  born  March  4,  1764,  in  that 
portion  of  Rowan  County  now  embraced  in  the  boundaries  of 
Iredell  County.  His  father,  Arthur  Erwin,  removed  to  Burke 
County  probably  about  the  time  when  Burke  County  was 
created  in  1777  and  settled  at  Cherry  Fields  on  Upper  Creek. 
Arthur  Erwin  fought  under  McDowell  at  King's  Mountain  and 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  Quaker  Meadows  church.  W.  W. 
Erwin  was  married  to  Matilda  Sharpe,  daughter  of  Col.  Wil- 
liam Sharpe,  a  prominent  lawyer  and  provincial  congressman 
from  Rowan  County,  on  the  of  17    .    He  first 

built  a  home  on  the  lot  afterwards  occupied  by  Dr.  Boushell 


7(3 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


and  where  W.  W.  Avery  later  lived  and  died.  Soon  after  the 
present  judicial  system  was  partly  established  by  the  creation 
of  superior  courts  in  lieu  of  the  old  district  courts,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Burke  County  and 
held  that  office  for  many  years.  He  never  sought  or  held  any 
other  office,  except  when  he  was  elected  with  Col.  John  Carson 
and  others,  a  delegate  to  the  convention  which  adopted  at  Fay- 
etteville,  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  When  a 
branch  of  the  State  bank  was  established  at  Morganton  he  was 
appointed  cashier  and  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  that 
place  until  he  was  stricken  by  paralysis.  Meantime  he  had 
removed  to  Belvidere  on  John's  River  and  established  the  hos- 
pitable home  where  he  died. 

He  was  ordained  elder  probably  about  the  year  1795,  when 
Jftkrr^  McK.  Wilson,  Sr.,  became  the  pastor  at  Quaker  Mead- 
ows. He  was  probably  the  most  active  man  and  one  of  the 
most  liberal  contributors  in  building  a  church,  parsonage  and 
schoolhouse  in  Morganton  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Chaun-' 
cey  Eddy,  where  he  educated  several  of  his  younger  daughters. 
His  eldest  daughter,  afterwards  Mrs.  H.  E.  Avery,  had  been 
compelled  to  go  with  her  friend  Miss  Lenoir  on  horseback  to 
Raleigh,  where  she  was  educated  at  the  school  established  by 
Dr.  McPheeters. 

W.  W.  Erwin  was  a  courteous  and  refined  gentleman  and 
was  universally  regarded  as  an  exemplary  Christian.  He  read 
a  great  deal,  having  provided  an  extensive  library  and  was 
unusually  well  informed. 

He  was  stricken  with  paralysis  and  died  from  the  effects  of 
a  third  stroke  in  1837.  A  remarkable  story  connected  with 
his  death  was  told  and  attested  by  his  large  family  of  well- 
known  persons,  including  his  sons  A.  L.  Erwin,  E.  J.  Erwin, 
A.  H.  Erwin,  and  his  sons-in-law  I.  T.  Avery,  James  Mc- 
Dowell, Alfred  Gaither,  B.  S.  Gaither  and  one  or  more  of  his 
grandchildren,  who  had  gathered  around  his  bedside  in  the 
early  morning  to  witness  his  death. 

He  had  been  supposed  to  be  dying  for  an  hour  or  more  as 
indicated  by  the  peculiar  struggle  for  breath  which  is  gen- 
erally a  premonition  of  nearly  approaching  death,  when  sud- 
denly he  seemed  for  a  moment  to  cease  breathing  and  the  mem- 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  77 


bers  of  his  family  began  to  rise  to  their  feet  supposing  that  he 
passed  away.  In  a  moment  he  breathed  distinctly,  opened  his 
eyes,  looked  around  and  appeared  to  be  attempting  to  speak 
when  his  young  grandson,  the  late  W.  W.  Avery,  then  twenty- 
one  years  old,  was  asked  to  see  what  his  grandfather  wished 
to  say.  He  held  his  ear  close  to  the  mouth  of  his  grandfather 
who  spoke  to  him  and,  on  inquiry  as  to  what  he  said,  W.  W. 
Avery  replied,  "He  says  William  the  Fourth  is  dead."  Those 
present  supposed  that  his  mind  was  wandering,  and,  as  he  was 
very  fond  of  reading  history  and  news,  they  thought  it  natural 
for  him  to  have  had  his  attention  some  time  shortly  before, 
directed  to  the  then  reigning  king  of  England. 

The  inexplicable  surprise  came  however,  when,  after  the 
lapse  of  weeks,  the  news  came  by  the  then  slow  mails,  that  at 
twenty  minutes  past  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  June  20, 
1837,  William  the  Fourth  had  died,  and  his  death  had  been 
announced  by  the  dying  old  man  at  Belvidere  on  the  same 
morning  at  about  eight  o'clock. 

The  foregoing  account  cannot  be  questioned  in  the  face  of 
the  fact  that  it  was  attested  by  more  than  a  half  score  of  intelli- 
gent witnesses  of  the  highest  character. 

At  five  the  same  morning  the  Archbishop  of  England  had 
gone  with  the  Prime  Minister  to  Kensington  Palace  or  Castle 
where  the  young  Princess  Victoria  resided.  The  maid  had 
told  the  Archbishop  that  she  was  sleeping  too  sweetly  and 
soundly  to  be  awakened.  When  told  of  what  had  occurred  she 
aroused  the  Princess  who  came  down  in  her  slippers  and  wrap- 
per to  hear  the  announcement  that  she  was  to  be  crowned  that 
day  Queen  of  England. 

Elder  John  H.  Stevelie. 

Circumstances  indicate  that  John  H.  Stevelie  came  to  Burke 
County  about  or  shortly  before  the  year  1800.  He  came  direct 
from  Switzerland  and  was  a  Presbyterian  of  the  John  Calvin 
or  Geneva  type. 

The  date  of  his  birth  and  death  must  have  been  inscribed 
on  a  tombstone,  where  he  was  buried  near  the  top  of  Morgan's 
Hill,  but  the  writer  is  informed  that  the  monuments  erected  to 


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Presbyterian  Churches  at 


him  and  his  family  have  been  destroyed  since  the  family  grave- 
yard passed  into  the  hands  of  the  D.  &  D.  School. 

Mr.  Stevelie  was  quite  a  wealthy  man  before  the  early  date 
when  he  settled  in  this  country.  He  bought  the  farm  beyond 
Morgan's  Hill  and  erected  a  brick  residence  thereon  which  was 
afterwards  enlarged  by  Col.  C.  M.  Avery  and  called  Magnolia. 
This  place  (Magnolia)  was  later  the  residence  of  Capt.  George 
Phifer,  and  is  now  owned  by  his  widow,  Mrs.  Martha  Avery 
Phifer.  If  our  church  would  provide  a  resting  place  for  the 
remains  of  Mr.  Stevelie  and  his  family  in  our  cemetery,  no 
doubt  the  authorities  of  the  D.  &  D.  School  would  be  able  to 
identify  the  graves  and  remove  their  remains  to  the  cemetery. 

Mr.  Stevelie,  according  to  tradition,  brought  with  him  to 
Burke  County  a  good  deal  of  money  which  was  invested  in 
goods ;  but  by  careless  management,  entrusting  his  business  to 
subordinates,  he  became  hopelessly  involved  and,  under  the 
old  rigid  exemption  law,  everything  was  sold  to  satisfy 
creditors. 

Elder  Alfred  Perkins. 

Alfred  Perkins  was  a  son  of  Elisha  Perkins  and  grandson  of 
Gentleman  John  Perkins  who  was  among  the  earliest  land- 
owners on  the  fertile  lands  in  the  valley  of  John's  Kiver. 

Alfred  Perkins  was  born  .    He  married 

Miss  Caldwell,  a  daughter  of  Robin  Caldwell  and 

sister  of  John  Caldwell,  the  father  of  Gov.  T.  R.  Caldwell. 
He  was  a  quiet  unobtrusive  gentleman,  but  by  reason  of  his 
high  character,  sound  judgment,  and  store  of  general  infor- 
mation he  was  naturally  brought  forward  and  looked  to  as  a 
leader  in  church  and  state.  We  think  that  he  was  the  Senator 
from  the  Burke  District  in  1817.  His  name  was  brought  for- 
ward by  John  H.  Wheeler  as  Senator  "A.  Perkins." 

He  was  ordained  elder  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  John 
Silliman.  Owing  to  the  loss  of  records  of  the  Session  prior 
to  1835,  the  precise  date  of  his  ordination  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained. But  the  minutes  of  Concord  Presbytery  show  that  he 
often  attended  Presbytery  as  a  delegate  during  the  pastorates 
of  Rev.  John  Silliman  and  Rev.  John  S.  McCutchan,  and  was 
an  active  and  interested  participant  in  the  proceedings.  It 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  79 

was  lie  who  expressed  the  assent  of  the  church  at  Morganton 
to  the  dissolution  of  pastoral  relations  with  Mr.  Silliman,  and 
who  obtained  the  sanction  of  that  body  to  the  call  of  his  friend, 
Rev.  J.  S.  McCutchan. 

Mr.  Alfred  Perkins  left  a  daughter  who  married  Mr.  Wil- 
liams and  removed  to  Georgia ;  and  two  sons,  Capt.  E.  A.  Per- 
kins and  Mr.  Robert  C.  Perkins.  Like  his  friend  and  neigh- 
bor, W.  W.  Erwin,  who  lived  on  an  adjacent  farm,  he  left  two 
sons  who  were  elected  elders  in  his  old  church  and  followed  in 
his  footsteps  in  leading  exemplary  lives. 

Adolphus  L.  Erwin. 

A.  L.  Erwin,  son  of  W.  W.  and  Matilda  Sharpe  Erwin,  was 
born  February  14,  1789,  and  died  November  24,  1855.  He 
married  Mary  Gertrude  Simianer,  November  27,  1817. 

He  was  educated  at  the  school  established  by  Dr.  Coffin  in 
Greenville,  Tennessee,  one  of  the  best  of  that  time.  He  chose 
the  law  as  his  profession  and  commanded  the  confidence  of  the 
people  to  an  unusual  extent.  He  was  a  well  informed  lawyer 
and  careful  business  man  and  acquired  an  extensive  and  lucra- 
tive practice.  But  in  middle  life  he  became  subject  to  painful 
and  exhaustive  attacks  of  asthma  which  interfered  so  seriously 
with  his  work,  that  he  reluctantly  left  his  home  in  Morganton 
and  abandoned  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  removed  to  a 
large  and  fertile  farm  at  Pleasant  Gardens  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days. 

He  was  ordained  as  elder  in  the  church  at  Morganton  dur- 
ing the  pastorate  of  Rev.  John  Silliman  and  frequently  rep- 
resented this  church  in  Presbytery,  up  to  the  time  when  he 
and  his  family,  in  August,  1845,  asked  for  letters  of  dismission 
to  join  the  church  at  Marion. 

He  and  his  family  wrere  the  most  active  workers  in  establish- 
ing and  building  up  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Marion.  Their 
first  pastor  there,  Rev.  Mr.  Gibbs,  and-  their  second  pastor, 
"Father  Paxton,"  found  in  him  and  his  family  fast  friends 
and  zealous  co-workers. 

Few  family  circles  in  this  country  were  as  charming  as  that 
at  Pleasant  Gardens.    He  made  it  more  enjoyable  by  entering 


80 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


with  zest  into  all  the  plans  and  hopes  that  interested  his 
children. 

Elder  Edward  Jones  Erwin. 

E.  J.  Erwin  was  born  March  24,  1806  and  died  July  8,  1871. 
He  was  educated  at  the  college  at  Athens,  Ga.,  now  the  Uni- 
versity of  Georgia.  He  went  from  Morganton  to  that  institu- 
tion in  company  with  Col.  B.  S.  Gaither  who  afterwards  mar- 
ried his  sister,  and  was  a  college-mate  of  Alexander  H.  Stephens 
and  Eobert  Toombs,  both  of  whom  became  leading  statesmen  of 
the  South.  He  married  Miss  Anne  Phifer,  of  Cabarrus 
County,  a  twin-sister  of  Mrs.  Mary  Phifer  Wilson,  wife  of 
Hon.  Harvey  Wilson,  of  Charlotte.  E.  J.  Erwin  did  not  study 
a  profession,  though  he  had  the  capacity  to  have  made  a  suc- 
cessful lawyer.  He  represented  Burke  County  in  the  old  House 
of  Commons  in  three  successive  sessions,  1835-1836-1838,  and 
proved  a  useful  and  influential  member. 

He  was  ordained  elder  in  the  church  at  Morganton  on  May 
11,  1843,  and  served  for  about  twenty-seven  years,  till  the  time 
of  his  death.  He  was  a  shining  light  in  the  dark  days  of  the 
church  when  he  had  as  co-workers  most  of  the  time,  female 
members,  and  when  his  hands,  as  well  as  the  hands  of  the  pas- 
tors, were  most  of  the  time  held  up  by  earnest  women,  whose 
faith  never  flagged  and  "whose  earnestness  never  abated.  Dur- 
ing all  this  trying  time  a  confiding  community  pointed  to  him 
as  one  of  a  small  circle  of  men  whose  Christian  characters 
could  not  be  impeached. 

Elder  W.  S.  Moore. 

Win.  S.  Moore  was  born  in  Iredell  County  on 
removed  to  Burke  County  and  joined  the  church  at  Morgan- 
ton  by  certificate  on  .  He  married  first, 
Miss  Mary  Summers,  who  came  with  him  to  Burke  County, 
and  after  her  death,  married  Miss  Margaret  Montgomery, 
whom  he  left  a  widow  at  his  death  on 

He  was  chosen  an  elder  soon  after  uniting  with  the  church 
at  Morganton  and  was  ordained  an  elder  about  October,  1856. 
He  was  a  quiet  unostentatious  gentleman,  but  a  man  of  clear 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


81 


judgment,  and  a  sensible  and  safe  man  of  business.  He  was 
an  exemplary  Christian  and  deeply  interested  in  church  work. 

He  was  a  patriotic  citizen,  ready  to  make  sacrifices  for  prin- 
ciple. Although  beyond  the  age  fixed  for  military  service,  he 
joined  the  first  cavalry  company  recruited  in  Burke  County, 
and  served  for  several  years  in  the  Confederate  Army  as  a 
private  and  as  a  non-commissioned  officer,  and  was  noted  for 
his  ready  obedience  to  orders  and  devotion  to  duty  as  a  soldier. 
He  died  at  his  post  in  Morganton,  respected  and  honored  as 
man  and  Christian  by  a  community  which  had  witnessed  his 
daily  walk  and  conversation  for  so  many  years. 

Elder  E.  A.  Perkins. 

Capt.  E.  A.  Perkins  was  the  elder  of  two  sons  of  Alfred 
Perkins,  the  subject  of  a  sketch  already  written.  He  was  born 
January  16,  1823,  at  his  father's  old  home  on  John's  River, 
and  died  on  August  16,  1897.  He  was  a  quiet,  sweet-tempered 
and  modest  man,  but  was  unyielding  in  his  adherence  to  prin- 
ciple and  to  what  his  conscience  taught  him  was  right. 

He  volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  first  company  of  cavalry 
raised  in  Burke  County,  which  later  was  Company  F  of  the 
Forty-first  North  Carolina,  or  Third  Cavalry  Regiment ;  but  on 
the  reorganization  of  the  company  at  the  end  of  the  year  Elisha 
Alexander  Perkins  was  elected  Captain,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  private  life  he  was  always 
deliberate,  never  known  to  be  excited,  and  in  battle  was  as  cool 
and  clear-headed  as  when  engaged  in  his  ordinary  business  in 
private  life.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  uniform  courage  in 
battle  and  his  kindness  and  attention  to  his  men  in  camp. 

Captain  Perkins  was  ordained  an  elder  soon  after  uniting 
with  the  church  in  1867,  and  as  an  officer  of  the  church  com- 
manded the  confidence  and  the  love  of  its  members. 

He  was  married  on  ,  to  Miss  Juliana 

Gordon,  a  sister  of  the  second  wife  of  his  brother, 
Robert  C.  Perkins,  and  of  this  marriage  four  daughters  were 
born,  all  but  one  of  whom  retain  their  connection  with  the 
church  and  are  among  its  staunch  and  liberal  supporters. 


n2 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Elder  Robert  C.  Perkins. 

Robert  Caldwell  Perkins  was  born  on  John's  River  May  9, 
1825,  and  died  at  his  home  February  23,  1904.  He  was  the 
only  brother  of  Capt.  E.  A.  Perkins. 

The  two  brothers  lived  with  their  mother  until  her  death  and 
afterwards  occupied  the  same  house  until  separated  by  death. 
The  devotion  of  the  two  to  each  other  seems  to  have  been  with- 
out a  parallel,  even  amongst  brothers.  They  continued  to  culti- 
vate a  valuable  farm,  without  a  thought  of  dividing  it  or  of  a 
division  of  the  rents.  They  had  but  one  purse  and  either  felt 
at  liberty  to  resort  to  it  to  meet  personal  expenses.  At  one  time 
R.  C.  Perkins  went,  with  a  large  party  of  North  Carolinians,  to 
California,  where  he  spent  some  years  in  mining.  But  when  he 
returned  all  that  he  had  made  in  mining  was  mingled  with  the 
common  fund  arising  from  the  profits  of  the  farm  under  his 
brother's  management.  It  was  said  that  they  never  disagreed, 
though  they  consulted  freely  about  the  management  of  their 
property. 

Mr.  R.  C.  Perkins  was  twice  married,  but  no  children  were 
born  to  him  of  either  union.  He  was  first  married  to  Miss  ISTeal 
of  Halifax  County,  sister  of  Major  Neal,  who  was  prominent 
as  a  soldier  and  a  politician.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Emma 
Sue  Gordon,  a  cousin  of  Miss  deal's,  and  whose  sister  after- 
wards became  the  wife  of  Capt.  E.  A.  Perkins.  R.  C.  Perkins 
seemed  to  love  his  brother's  children  as  if  they  were  his  own, 
and  lived  with  them  until  he  provided  for  them  before  his  death. 
He  never  sought  public  office,  though  upon  the  resignation  of 
E.  P.  Moore  as  sheriff  he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  and  proved  a  very  efficient  and  acceptable  officer. 

He  had  been  installed  as  deacon  before  the  death  of  his 
brother  and  was  afterwards  elected  elder.  He  was  upright  and 
careful  in  the  conduct  of  business.  He  was  firm  in  his  adher- 
ence to  principle  and  was  esteemed  as  a  model  in  his  walk  and 
conversation  by  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 

Elder  James  Alexander. 

James  Alexander  was  born  July  4,  1820,  and  died  April  6, 
1901.    He  married  Matilda  Fox,  a  daughter  of  Alfred  Fox. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


83 


Vance  Alexander,  deceased,  and  Davis  Alexander,  a  deacon  at 
Quaker  Meadows,  were  children  born  of  this  marriage. 

James  Alexander,  as  a  son  of  Samuel  Alexander,  and  a  great- 
grandson  of  Robert  Penland,  verified,  by  his  upright  Christian 
life,  the  promise  that  our  God  will  remember  the  seed  of  the 
righteous  and  bless  their  children  to  the  third  and  fourth  gene- 
ration. As  he  moved  along  noiselessly  his  neighbors  took  notice 
of  his  conduct  and  believed  that  he  was  in  communion  with  his 
Master.  At  the  re-organization  of  the  church  at  Quaker 
Meadows,  he  was  chosen  and  ordained  an  elder  and  up  to  the 
close  of  his  long  life  his  walk  was  worthy  of  his  high  calling. 

Dr.  William  C.  Tate. 

Dr.  Tate  was  an  able,  learned,  and  popular  physician.  He 
commanded  a  large  practice  for  many  years,  living  first  on  what 
is  now  the  Presnell  farm  and  keeping  an  office  in  Morganton. 
But  subsequently,  to  meet  the  growing  demands  of  his  business, 
he  bought  and  removed  to  the  Presnell  place,  where  Mr.  T.  ~N. 
Hallyburton  lives,  on  Church  street.  Dr.  Tate  married  first, 
Mrs.  Laura  Polk,  the  widow  of  Marshall  Polk,  who  was  a 
brother  of  President  Polk.  He  subsequently  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Adeline  Massey. 

He  was  chosen  and  ordained  as  elder  of  the  church  during 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  W.  C.  Sheetz,  and  was  associated  as  elder 
with  E.  J.  Erwin,  W.  S.  Moore,  and  W.  M.  D.  Howard. 

Dr.  Tate  was  esteemed  as  a  man  of  high  moral  character 
from  his  youth.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  frankness  and 
great  regard  for  the  truth.  He  had  many  friends  and  much  in- 
fluence in  the  community. 

His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Alexander  Erwin  and  a  sister 
of  Mrs,  Mary  Erwin  Wilson,  and  like  all  the  children  of  Alex- 
ander Erwin,  was  a  staunch  Presbyterian.  A  community  is 
blest  when  it  numbers  among  its  leading  citizens  such  Christian 
gentlemen  as  was  Dr.  Tate. 

Thomas  Neill. 


Thomas  JSTeill  was  born  on  the  and 
died  on  .   He  was  married  to  Miss 

Morrison,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Morrison,  and  a  granddaughter 


84 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


of  Elder  John  Duckworth.  He  was  chosen  and  ordained  as  an 
elder  of  the  church  at  Morganton,  but  lived  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  Silver  Creek  Chapel,  the  worshipers  at  which 
church  were  enrolled  as  members  of  the  Morganton  congrega- 
tion. Elder  JSTeill  was  a  modest  and  a  worthy  Christian,  con- 
sistent in  his  daily  demeanor.  He  was  one  of  many  who  became 
connected  with  the  family  of  John  Duckworth,  and  passed  under 
the  shadow  of  his  influence  as  a  Christian  and  a  Presbyterian. 

The  writer  recollects  distinctly  to  have  seen  Elder  Neill  act- 
ing in  his  official  capacity,  and  looked  upon  him  as  an  exem- 
plary Christian.  The  writer  regrets  that  a  request  made  by  him 
to  some  of  the  descendants  of  Mr.  Neill  for  facts  connected  with 
his  life  has  been  overlooked,  making  this  sketch  more  meager 
than  it  should  have  been. 

Dr.  George  H.  Moran,  Elder. 

In  the  tribute  paid  to  Dr.  Moran  by  the  congregation  after 
his  death,  all  of  the  material  facts,  from  his  birth,  are  set  forth, 
and  hence  we  will,  in  this  case,  as  we  have  done  in  others,  adopt 
that  tribute  as  a  sketch,  it  being  as  follows: 

Dr.  George  H.  Moran  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  on  the 
30th  of  October,  1839,  and  died  in  a  hospital  at  Salisbury,  June 
23,  1905,  after  undergoing  a  critical  operation.  Dr.  Moran 
first  came  to  Morganton  as  surgeon  of  a  regiment  of  U.  S. 
troops  sent  here  about  the  year  1873.  Though  the  bitter- 
ness engendered  by  the  war  had  not  then  subsided,  his  quiet 
and  affable  manner,  his  kindly  disposition  and  his  professional 
and  general  attainments,  made  him  a  very  welcome  guest  and  a 
favorite  in  the  home  circles  of  all  of  our  best  cultivated  people. 
His  sojourn  among  us  as  a  soldier,  resulted  in  his  engagement 
and  subsequent  marriage,  on  May  3,  1882,  to  Miss  Sarali 
White  Erwin.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  in  Morganton 
where  his  learning  and  skill  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  and 
his  high  character  as  a  gentleman  commanded  up  to  the  time 
of  his  last  illness,  a  leading  and  lucrative  practice. 

Dr.  Moran  became  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  of  Morganton  on  profession  of  faith  on  the  21st  day 
of  September,  1882,  and,  subsequently,  in  the  year  1890,  was 
ordained  one  of  the  ruling  elders.  Dr.  Moran  entertained  de- 
cided views  on  all  public  questions  formed  after  mature  delib- 
eration and  intelligent  study.  He  was  a  voracious  and  habitual 
reader  and  a  gentleman  of  fine  literary  tastes  and  attainments. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


85 


His  religious  views  and  opinions  were  founded  upon  convic- 
tions as  to  the  truth  of  the  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  church, 
and  his  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  the  atonement  never  faltered, 
but  was  an  ever  present  support  and  comfort  to  him  in  sickness 
and  health  and  quickened  his  zeal  in  Christian  work. 

Resolved,  That  we,  his  brethren  of  the  Session  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  of  Morganton  deeply  deplore  his  death 
and  deem  his  removal  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  church  and 
to  the  community,  and  a  personal  bereavement  to  his  associates 
in  every  sphere  of  his  life. 

Resolved,  further,  That  we  his  brethren  and  associate  ruling 
elders  feel  a  profound  sympathy  for  his  family  in  their  hour 
of  distress  and  trouble,  and  in  token  of  our  reverence  for  his 
memory  and  regard  for  his  family,  this  resolution  and  the  fore- 
going memorial  notice  be  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  Ses- 
sion and  submitted  for  adoption  and  approval  to  the  congre- 
gation at  its  next  meeting. 

Resolved,  further,  That  a  certified  copy  of  the  foregoing 
memorial  notice  and  these  resolutions  be  sent  by  the  clerk  of 
the  Session  to  the  family  of  our  deceased  brother  and  that 
copies  be  furnished  to  the  religious  and  secular  newspapers  for 
publication. 

Respectfully  subscribed, 

A.  C.  Avery, 

R.  K.  Presnell, 

W.  A.  Ross, 

Committee. 

Elder  George  Phifer  Erwin. 

Following  the  course  pursued  as  to  others,  subjects  of  these 
sketches,  the  writer  adopts  as  a  sketch  the  tribute  paid  to  Captain 
Erwin  by  the  congregation,  and  which,  as  recorded  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  session,  is  as  follows: 

George  Phifer  Erwin. 

Once  again  the  grim  reaper  death  has  visited  this  Session  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Morganton  and  it  becomes 
our  sad  duty  to  record  the  removal  from  the  scenes  of  this 
earthly  life  of  our  beloved  brother  and  fellow-elder,  George 
Phifer  Erwin,  who  died  on  November  11,  1911. 

He  was  the  son  of  Edward  Jones  Erwin,  and  Ann  Elizabeth 
Phifer  and  was  born  on  August  27th,  1840.  His  father,  Ed- 
ward Jones  Erwin,  was  for  a  period  of  twenty-eight  years,  an 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Morganton,  having  been 
elected  an  elder  in  said  church  in  the  year  1843,  and  having 


86 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


remained  an  elder  in  said  church  until  his  death  in  1871.  His 
mother  survived  her  husband  for  many  years,  and  was  no  less 
loyal,  faithful  and  devoted  to  the  interests  of  this  church  and 
rendered  it  faithful  service. 

George  Phifer  Erwin  was  received  into  the  membership  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Morganton  in  18S7  and  was  or- 
dained an  elder  in  said  church  September  2,  1888.  In  all  the 
interests  of  this  church  he  was  the  leading  spirit  up  to  the  time 
of  the  disease  which  laid  its  afflicting  hand  upon  him  about 
two  years  prior  to  the  time  of  his  death,  since  which  time  he 
bore  his  affliction  with  resignation  and  with  patience.  While 
we  mourn  with  his  loved  ones  and  sympathize  with  them  in 
their  grief  and  affliction  and  deeply  deplore  his  loss  to  the 
church  and  to  the  community  as  well,  we  do  not  sorrow  as 
those  without  hope,  for  we  have  an  abiding  trust  that  he  hath 
entered  "that  city  which  hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and 
maker  is  God,"  and  that  he  is  now  at  rest. 

We,  as  a  Session,  would  emulate  his  Christian  life  and  vir- 
tues, and  testify  to  his  upright  walk  and  conversation  among 
us  and  his  faithful  work  in  and  for  this  church. 

It  is,  therefore,  ordered  that  the  clerk  of  this  Session  be  and 
is  hereby  requested  to  write  the  foregoing  minutes  upon  his 
minute  book  and  to  send  a  copy  of  the  same  to  the  family  of 
our  deceased  friend  and  a  copy  to  the  Presbyterian  Standard 
for  publication. 

By  order  of  the  Session. 

It  is  proper  to  add  to  the  foregoing  a  short  account  of  Captain 
Erwin's  early  education  and  later  professional  and  official  life. 

Captain  Erwin  was  prepared  for  college  at  the  celebrated 
school  of  Colonel  Lee,  at  Asheville,  entered  Davidson  College, 
and  for  four  years  stood  at  the  head  of  his  class. 

He  joined  Capt.  C.  M.  Avery's  Company  F,  of  the  Bethel 
Regiment,  which  enlisted  for  only  six  months.  After  being 
mustered  out  of  service  he  enlisted  in  Captain  Armfield's  com- 
pany of  the  Eleventh  Regiment  and  served  as  Orderly  Sergeant 
of  that  company.  During  the  year  1862  he  was  commissioned 
as  Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster  of  the  Sixtieth  North 
Carolina  Regiment,  in  which  capacity  he  served  till  the  end  of 
the  Civil  War. 

After  the  war  he  read  law  with  Colonel  Gaither  and  was 
licensed  in  the  year  1867.  He  practiced  law  for  a  few  years, 
but  his  unusual  readiness  and  accuracy  as  an  accountant  led  to 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


87 


his  being  employed  as  treasurer  of  the  Western  North  Carolina 
Railroad,  and  later  to  his  being  retained  in  the  service  of  the 
Richmond  &  Danville  Railway,  after  the  sale  of  the  first-men- 
tioned road,  at  Salisbury,  for  a  number  of  years. 

Captain  Erwin  was  a  man  of  thorough  education  and  ex- 
tensive reading.  He  had  a  talent  and  taste  for  music  which 
not  only  added  much  to  his  own  pleasure,  but  proved  a  means  of 
entertainment  to  the  many  guests  at  his  hospitable  home. 

Judge  Alphonso  Calhoun  Aveey. 

("Contributed.) 

Judge  Avery  was  Morganton's  most  distinguished  citizen.  An 
unsolicited  tribute  from  one  who  has  known  him  all  his  life  was 
expressed  in  the  words,  "There  is  not  a  man  in  all  Burke 
County  for  whom  I  have  so  much  affection  and  respect." 

Alphonso  C.  Avery  was  born  at  Swan  Ponds,  on  the  Avery 
estate  near  Morganton,  September  11,  1835.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  at  the  Bingham  Academy,  in  Orange  County,  and 
graduated  from  the  University  of  North  Carolina  at  the  head 
of  his  class  in  1857.  He  was  licensed  to  practice  law  in  the  year 
1860,  and  in  the  same  year  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Wash- 
ington Morrison,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Stonewall  Jackson.  Sterner 
things  than  the  practice  of  law  called  him  at  that  time.  The 
crisis  of  war  intervened  and  he  took  up  arms  in  the  defense  of 
his  State.  He  entered  the  army  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company 
E,  Sixth  North  Carolina  Regiment,  and  came  out  commissioned 
as  colonel.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  entered  upon  a  long  and 
distinguished  career  as  politician  and  jurist,  being  elevated  in 
the  year  1878  to  the  seat  of  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of 
North  Carolina,  and  in  1889  to  the  Supreme  Court  bench.  In 
1889  he  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Miss  Sallie  Love  Thomas. 

Judge  Avery  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Morganton  church  for 
more  than  twenty-five  years,  exemplifying  all  that  the  term  im- 
plies. He  was  a  born  leader  of  men,  possessing  the  qualities  of 
character  and  intellect  that  distinguish  a  natural  leader.  His 
loss  in  the  church  and  community  will  long  be  felt.  A  guiding 
hand  as  capable  and  a  heart  as  staunch  we  can  not  hope  soon 
to  find.  We  rejoice  in  a  career  so  distinguished,  a  life  so  com- 
plete, for  we  see  in  it  the  fulfillment  of  a  divine  promise. 


88 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


"Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  therefore  will  I  deliver 
him; 

I  will  set  him  on  high,  because  he  hath  known  my  name. 

He  shall  call  upon  me,  and  I  will  answer  him; 

I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble : 

I  will  deliver  him,  and  honor  him. 

With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him, 

And  shew  him  my  salvation." — Psalm  91. 

ROBEET  K.  PEESNELL. 

Since  the  work  of  writing  this  history  was  completed  by  Judge 
Avery,  Robert  K.  Presnell,  another  elder  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian church  has  passed  away,  his  death  occurring  on  the  23d 
day  of  June,  1913.  Mr.  Presnell,  who  was  77  years  of  age, 
joined  the  Presbyterian  church  in  1877  and  was  ordained  an 
elder  in  1879.  The  church  had  no  more  loyal  and  devoted  mem- 
ber and  no  officer  more  diligent  and  faithful. 

Gentle  and  unostentatious  in  his  demeanor,  upright  in  his 
business  dealings,  true  to  every  trust,  winning  his  way  without 
arousing  antagonisms,  liberal  to  his  church  and  his  family  and 
still  from  modest  beginnings  accumulating  a  valuable  estate — 
his  life  was  an  inspiration  to  good  deeds  and  right  living. 

He  was  happily  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Susan  Alexander, 
and  his  home,  near  the  Presbyterian  church,  has  long  been  a 
centre  of  hospitality,  and  of  Christian  influence  exerted  far  more 
by  example  than  by  precept. 

jN"o  man  who  ever  lived  in  Morganton,  it  may  safely  be  as- 
serted, enjoyed  to  a  greater  degree  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
his  neighbors.  For  many  years  actively  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  conducting  a  large  farm  on  the  Catawba  River, 
acting  as  executor  of  his  former  pastor,  the  beloved  .Robert  B. 
Anderson,  touching  the  life  of  the  community  at  many  points — 
he  always  made  the  affairs  of  his  church  a  matter  of  prime  con- 
cern. A  busy  man  always,  and  for  many  years  in  feeble  health, 
he  was  always,  it  seemed,  strong  enough  and  had  time  enough 
to  give  to  the  church  and  its  institutions  the  benefit  of  that  wis- 
dom and  experience  which  made  him  so  successful  in  material 
affairs.  W.  C.  Eevin. 


mm 

If  >*> 

f 

ill 

R.  K.  PRESNELL 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  89 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS 

The  first  Scotch-Irish  settlers  of  old  Burke  County  vied  with 
the  Lutherans  in  the  establishment  of  places  of  worship.  Some- 
times one  and  sometimes  the  other  was  first  to  build  a  church 
after  the  occupation  of  a  section.  As  already  mentioned  the 
Lutherans  built  "Little  John  Church"  a  few  years  before  their 
Scotch-Irish  neighbors  organized  at  Quaker  Meadows  and 
Pleasant  Gardens.  In  view  of  the  loss  of  early  church  records 
of  sessions,  congregations,  and  of  Orange  Presbytery,  it  is  im- 
possible to  give  an  accurate  list  of  the  first  men  who  assembled 
at  Quaker  Meadows  and  undertook  the  building  of  a  temple  for 
worship  at  that  place.  It  was  built,  as  we  know,  from  a  single 
record,  before  1784.  The  leading  Scotch-Irish  families  living 
on  all  sides  of  the  location  selected  were  the  Erwins,  the 
McDowells,  the  McElraths,  the  Harbisons,  the  McGimpsys,  the 
Greenlees,  the  O'Neills,  the  Morrisons,  the  Duckworths,  and, 
in  1781,  Waightstill  Avery  joined  them,  removing,  after  the  War, 
from  Jones  County.  Circumstances  warrant  the  belief  that  all 
of  the  leading  representatives  of  these  families  encouraged  the 
church  movement  and  most  of  them  joined  in  the  organization 
as  members.  Probably  a  little  later  the  first  representatives  of 
the  Eoss  family,  of  the  Grady  family,  and  of  the  Neills  joined 
in  the  movement. 

It  was  in  the  decade  ending  in  the  year  1800  that  Thomas 
Walton  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Martha  Mclntire  Walton,  and  Wm. 
Mclntire  located  in  the  town  of  Morganton  and  immediately 
began  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  church  and  twenty 
years  later  to  the  building  of  a  church,  schoolhouse  and  parson- 
age in  the  town  of  Morganton.  The  Tates  must  have  come 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Burke  County  somewhere  about  the  year 
1790,  before  Robert  and  William  Tate  covered  such  a  large 
area  in  the  county  with  entries  and  grants. 

As  to  the  names  in  the  subjoined  list  of  early  members  of 
the  church  at  Quaker  Meadows,  there  seems  to  be  reliable  in- 
formation that  the  names  recorded  in  that  list  were  of  persons 
who  actually  joined  in  the  church  as  well  as  the  movement  to 
establish  it.    It  appears  probable  from  circumstances  that  Col. 


90 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Joseph  McGimpsy,  John  Perkins,  and  the  first  Joseph 
McDowell  who  came  to  Burke,  were  not  only  promoters  of  the 
movement,  but  members  of  the  Quaker  Meadows  congregation. 

Mr.  John  A.  Dickson,  one  of  the  elders  of  the  Morganton 
church,  has  been  requested  by  the  Session  and  the  writer  of.  the 
foregoing  sketches,  to  join  in  making  out  the  list  of  members  of 
the  church  from  the  earliest  day,  and  has  given  valuable  assist- 
ance in  that  portion  of  the  work. 

ALPHABETICAL  LIST 

Of  the  Members  of  Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 
Churches,  Including  Those  Who  Worshiped  at  Silver 
Creek  Chapel,  From  the  First  Organization  of  the 
Church  at  Quaker  Meadows,  to  the  Beginning  of  the 
Year  1913. 

Alexander,  Samuel ;  elder. 
Alexander,  Jane  Penland ;  wife  of  Samuel. 
Alexander,  William ;  son  of  Samuel. 
Alexander,  Elizabeth ;  wife  of  William. 
Alexander,  Thomas ;  son  of  Samuel. 
Alexander,  Robert ;  son  of  Samuel. 
Alexander,  James;  son  of  Samuel. 
Alexander,  Samuel ;  son  of  Samuel. 
Alexander,  Rachel ;  married  Wm.  Erwin. 

Alexander,  Margaret ;  married  Moore. 

Alexander,  Davis ;  son  of  James. 

Alexander,  Edgar  D. ;  son  of  Vance,  and  grandson  of  James 

Alexander. 
Alexander,  JNTannie  T. ;  wife  of  Edgar  D. 

Alexander,  Cynthia ;  daughter  of  Wm.  and  Sophia,  second  wife 

of  Hugh  Tate. 
Alexander,  Sally ;  married  Ambrose  Conley. 
Alexander,  Lena  ;  married  Hosea  Bumgarner. 
Alexander,  David  M. 
Alexander,  Mrs.  M.  E. 
Alexander,  Miss ;  married  Aaron  Kerley. 

Amos,  Lillie ;  married  . 

Anderson,  Rev.  Dr.  R.  B. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


91 


Anderson,  Mrs.  Jennie  Tliornwell ;  wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  R.  B. 

Anderson,  James,  Sr. ;  father  of  Rev.  R.  B. 

Anderson,  Miss  Lila. 

Anderson,  Eliza  W. 

Anderson,  Robert  B.,  Jr. 

Anderson,  Lila  W. 

Anderson,  Mrs,  Elizabeth. 

Archer,  T.  V. ;  elder. 

Archer,  Mrs.  T.  V. 

Aursler,  Miss  Francina. 

Avery,  Waightstill  ( Colonel ) . 

Avery,  Mrs.  Leah  Probart ;  wife  of  Waightstill. 

Avery,  Mira ;  married,  first  Poor,  second,  Jacob  Siimmey. 

Avery,  Mrs.  Harriet  Erwin ;  wife  of  I.  T.  Avery. 

Avery,  Harriet  Justina ;  married  P.  B.  Chambers. 

Avery,  Mary  Martha ;  married  J.  F.  Chambers. 

Avery,  Laura  M. ;  daughter  of  Mrs.  H.  E.  Avery. 

Avery,  Willoughby  F. 

Avery,  Alphonso  C. ;  elder. 

Avery,  Susan  Morrison ;  wife  of  A.  C. 

Avery,  Harriet  Eloise ;  married  Gilmer  Brenizer. 

Avery,  Morrison  R. 

Avery,  Isaac  Erwin. 

Avery,  Susan  Washington ;  married  T.  S.  McBee. 
Avery,  Alphonso  C,  Jr. 

Avery,  Mary  Johnston ;  wife  of  A.  C.  A.,  Jr. 
Avery,  Alfred  L. ;  son  of  A.  C.  A.,  Sr. 
Avery,  Lenoir  T. 
Avery,  Gladys  L. 
Avery,  Edith  C. 

xivery,  Cornelia  McGimpsey;  wife  of  William  Avery. 
Avery,  Elizabeth ;  daughter  of  Mrs.  Cornelia. 
Avery,  Joseph. 
Avery,  Harrison. 

Avery,  Mrs.  Annie  Warlick ;  wife  of  Harrison  Avery. 
Avery,  Alexander  L. 

Avery,  Mrs.  Madge  McConnaughey ;  wife  of  Alexander  Avery. 
Avery,  Ophelia ;  married  Wilfong. 


92 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Avery,  Robert. 

Avery,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Walton ;  wife  of  C.  M.  Avery. 
Avery,  Isaac  T. ;  elder. 

Avery,  Mrs.  Lillian  W. ;  wife  of  Isaac  T.  Avery. 
Avery,  Lillian  W. ;  daughter  of  Isaac  T.  Avery. 
Avery,  Walton ;  son  of  I.  T.  Avery. 
Avery,  Betsy ;  married  J.  McK.  O'Neill. 
Avery,  Mrs.  Corinna  M. 

Avery,  Corinna  I. ;  married  Capt.  G.  P.  Erwin. 
Avery,  Adelaide  M. 
Avery,  Waightstill  W.,  Jr. 

Ballon,  Natalie. 

Bard,  Charles  J. 

Bell,  E.  L. ;  deacon. 

Bell,  Mrs.  Martha. 

Bell,  Mrs.  Grace. 

Bell,  Mary  Sue. 

Bell,  Andrew. 

Beall,  Dr.  L.  G. ;  deacon. 

Berger,  Mrs.  Howard. 

Berger,  William. 

Betts,  Mrs.  O.  A. 

Black,  John. 

Black,  C.  M. 

Black,  Miss  Selina. 

Black,  Minerva  A. 

Black,  Miss  Martha. 

Boger,  William. 

Boger,  Mrs.  Emily  Gertrude. 

Boger,  J.  Derr ;  deacon. 

Boger,  J.  Derr,  Jr. 

Bost,  Julia  Forney ;  wife  of  Makepeace. 

Bouchelle,  Goodman. 

Bouchelle,  Mrs.  Goodman. 

Boyd,  Mrs.  J osephine. 

Boyd,  Miss  Minnie. 

Bowman,  Flora. 

Branch,  Balbous. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


Bristol,  Miss  Heloise. 
Brown,  Robert. 
Brown,  Mrs.  Robert. 
Brown,  Jefferson  (colored). 
Brown,  Hagar  J.  (colored). 
Burnett,  Christiana. 
Burr,  Miss  Fredrika. 
Butler,  Sarah. 
Butler,  Miss  Mary. 
Branck,  Peter. 
Branck,  Mrs.  Peter. 
Bynum,  Judge  J.  G. ;  elder. 

Bynum,  Mrs.  Hennie  Erwin ;  wife  of  J.  G.  Bynum. 
Branck,  Robert. 

Branck,  Priscilla ;  married  David  Yance. 
Branck,  Elizabeth ;  married  Robert  Penland. 

Camp,  William. 
Camp,  Miss  Rosa. 
Camp,  Edwin. 
Camp,  Miss  Harriet. 
Campbell,  Mrs.  Harriet. 
Carter,  Mrs.  Ophelia. 
Carter,  Miss  Ophelia. 
Carter,  Miss  Cornelia. 
Carthlege,  Dr.  L.  H. 
Causby,  William. 
Causby,  Mrs.  Rachel. 
Causby,  Nancy. 
Chaffee,  A.  C. 
Chaffee,  Mrs.  A.  C. 
Chambers,  Edward  W. 
Chambers,  J.  P. 
Chambers,  Waightstill. 
Chapman,  Mrs.  Augusta  May. 
Chapman,  Mrs.  C.  J. 
Chapman,  Miss  Caroline. 
Colton,  Moulton  A. 
Colton,  Lizzie. 


94 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Colton,  James. 
Colton,  Susan. 
Colton,  Henry. 
Corpening,  George. 
Corpening,  Mrs.  George. 
Corpening,  W.  G. 
Corpening,  Mrs.  W.  G. 
Corpening,  Z.  T. 
Cozens,  Mrs.  M.  B. 
Cozens,  Miss  Martha. 
Cozens,  Miss  Mariah  R. 
Crawley,  Miss  Elizabeth. 
Crisp,  Mourning  (colored). 

Davidson,  Mrs.  Dorcas  E. 
Deal,  Miss  Cecelia. 
Dietz,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann. 
Dickson,  Isabella. 
Dickson,  Margaret. 
Dickson,  William. 
Dickson,  Mary  K. 
Dickson,  Mrs.  E.  S. 
Dickson,  J.  A. ;  elder. 
Dickson,  Mrs.  J.  A. 

Dickson,  Miss  Bessie;  married  George  Taylor. 

Dickson,  Mary  Flynn. 

Duckworth,  John ;  elder. 

Duckworth,  Mrs,  Mary ;  wife  of  Elder  John. 

Duckworth,  Daunt ;  son  of  John. 

Duckworth,  ;  wife  of  Daunt. 

Duckworth,  Jane ;  married  Martin  Kibler. 
Duckworth,  Sarah. 
Duckworth,  Martha. 
Duckworth,  Maggie  J. 

Earnhardt,  Mrs.  S.  M. 
Edge,  Rev.  Walter  W. 

Edge,  Mrs.  Maude  Brannon ;  wife  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Edge. 
Ervin,  John  Witherspoon. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  95 


Ervin,  Mrs.  Laura ;  wife  of  J.  W.  Ervin. 

Ervin,  McQueen. 

Ervin,  Elizabeth. 

Ervin,  J ohn  Conyers. 

Ervin,  Samuel  Jones ;  elder. 

Ervin,  Mrs.  Laura  Poe;  wife  of  S.  J.  Ervin. 

Ervin,  Miss  Louisa  ~N. 

Ervin,  Miss  Annie. 

Ervin,  Laura ;  married  Dr.  Hall.  — 

Ervin,  Catharine. 

Ervin,  Julia. 

Ervin,  Morton. 

Ervin,  Margaret. 

Ervin,  Edwin. 

Ervin,  Samuel  Jones,  Jr. 

Ervin,  Hugh  Tait. 

Erwin,  Arthur. 

Erwin,  Margaret  Brannon ;  wife  of  Arthur ;  died  at  Belvidere, 

December  26,  1826,  aged  92  years. 
Erwin,  Alexander. 

Erwin,  Mrs.  Sarah  Robinson ;  first  wife  of  Alexander  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Mrs.  Margaret  Crawford  Patton ;  second  wife  of  Alexan- 
der Erwin. 
Erwin,  Alexander,  Jr. 
Erwin,  William  Willoughby ;  elder. 
Erwin,  Matilda  Sharpe ;  wife  of  W.  W.  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Adolphus  L. ;  elder. 

Erwin,  Mrs.  Mary  Simianer ;  wife  of  A.  L.  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Edward  Jones ;  elder. 
Erwin,  Ann  Phifer;  wife  of  E.  J.  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Matilda ;  daughter  of  A.  L.  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Mary  Ann ;  daughter  of  A.  L.  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Margaret ;  married  Capt.  James  McDowell. 
Erwin,  Cecelia  Matilda. 
Erwin,  Miss  Mary  E. 

Erwin,  Delia  H. ;  married  Dr.  J.  P.  Hardy. 

Erwin,  A.  H. 

Erwin,  Mrs.  Margaret. 

Erwin,  William  C. 


96 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Erwin,  Mrs.  Matilda ;  wife  of  W.  C.  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Mary ;  married  Samuel  Duckworth. 
Erwin,  Catharine ;  married  Sumner  Smith. 
Erwin,  Margaret. 

Erwin,  Anna ;  married  R.  L.  McConnaughey. 
Erwin,  Laura ;  married  B.  J.  Jones. 
Erwin,  George  Phifer ;  elder. 

JErwin,  Miss  Sarah ;  married  Dr.  John  G.  McDowell. 
Erwin,  Miss  Sarah;  daughter  of  Alexander;  married  David 

White  of  Charlotte. 
Erwin,  Annie ;  married  Ered  Laxton. 
Erwin,  Corinna ;  married  J.  D.  Boger. 
Erwin,  Adelaide  Avery. 
Erwin,  Eloise  McC. 
Erwin,  Edward  Jones,  Jr. 

Erwin,  Mrs.  Margaret  Phifer ;  wife  of  J ames  Erwin. 
Erwin,  Miss  Sallie ;  married  Freeland  Henson. 
Erwin,  Miss  Sophia ;  married  William  Alexander. 
Erwin,  Miss  Cynthia ;  married  Dr.  Fox  of  Charlotte.     ^   Vy  \^ 
Erwin,  Miss  Hannah;  married  Zebulon  Baird.  \  ^  & 
Erwin,  Miss  Mary ;  married  Rev.  J.  McKamie  Wilson. 
Erwin,  Margaret  (Peggy)  ;  married  Hugh  Tate. 
Erwin,  Hamilton ;  son  of  Marcus. 

Espy,  Miss  Harriet ;  married  Gov.  Zebulon  Baird  Vance. 
Estis,  Mary. 

Farmer,  Jonathan. 
Fleming,  Ann  E.  H. 
Fleming,  Elmira. 
Foister,  Mabel. 
Foister,  Ellen. 
Folsom,  Murtrice. 
Forney,  Daniel  J. 

Forney,  Mrs.  Sallie  Ramseur ;  wife  of  Daniel  J. 
Forney,  Mrs.  Polly ;  wife  of  Newton. 
Forney,  Isaac  Newton. 
Forney,  Louisa. 
Forney,  William. 
Forney,  Pink  (1886). 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  97 


Forney,  Robert. 
Forney,  Walter ;  deacon. 
Forney,  Miss  Julia. 
Forney,  Charles ;  deacon. 
Forney,  Miss  Mamie. 
Forney,  Miss  Anna. 
Foster,  Mrs. 
Foster,  Miss  Elizabeth. 
Foster,  Sarah  J. 
Foster,  Miss  Laura. 
Fox,  L.  C. ;  deacon. 
Fox,  Mrs.  L.  C. 
Fox,  Thomas. 

Gaither,  Mrs.  Amelia. 

Gaither,  Miss  Emeline ;  married  McRee. 

Gaither,  Mrs.  Catherine  Erwin ;  wife  of  Alfred  Gaither. 
Gaither,  Mrs,  Elizabeth  Erwin ;  wife  of  B.  S.  Gaither. 
Gaither,  Mrs.  Sarah  Corpening;  second  wife  of  B.  S.  Gaither. 
gaither,  Mrs.  Julia  M. 

Gaither,  Delia  Emma ;  married  Dr.  R.  C.  Pearson. 

Gaither,  Mrs.  Matilda  E. 

Garland,  William  R. 

Gash,  Mrs.  D.  A. 

Gash,  Miss  Annie. 

Gibbs,  A.  B. 

Giles,  Mrs.  Harriet  Mooney. 

Giles,  Miss  Lillian  Gray. 

Giles,  John ;  elder  at  Glen  Alpine. 

Giles,  Mrs.  Butler ;  wife  of  John. 

Gillespie,  James. 

Gilmer,  J ohn  A. ;  elder ;  now  minister  at  Mt.  Airy. 

Gilmer,  Laura  Avery ;  wife  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Gilmer. 

Good,  Solomon. 

Good,  Mrs.  Solomon. 

Grady,  Elijah. 

Grady,  J emima. 

Grady,  Mrs.  Lucy  Caroline. 

4 .  , 


98 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Grayson,  Noah  M. 
Gregory,  Eev.  E.  C. 

Gregory,  Mrs.  Fannie  Dysart ;  wife  of  Rev.  E.  C. 

Greenlee,  James. 

Greenlee,  Mary  Mitchell. 

Greenlee,  Samuel. 

Greenlee,  Mrs.  Minerva  K. 

Greenlee,  Mrs.  Mary ;  wife  of  John  M. 

Greenlee,  John  M. 

Greenlee,  James  Hervey. 

Greenlee,  Mary ;  married  Dr.  McRee. 

Greenlee,  Miss  Emily ;  married  Dr.  Happoldt. 

Greenlee,  Miss  Elizabeth ;  married  J ohn  A.  Dickson. 

Greenlee,  Alexander  S. 

Greenlee,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Glass ;  wife  of  A.  S.  Greenlee. 

Hague,  Mrs.  Pattie  Thornwell. 

Happoldt,  Mrs.  Mary  McRee. 

Happoldt,  Mrs.  Sarah  Elizabeth. 

Happoldt,  Lucy  Greenlee. 

Happoldt,  Mary  Minerva. 

Harbison,  John ;  deacon. 

Harbison,  Lydia. 

Harbison,  Mary,  Sr. 

Harbison,  Mary  B. 

Harbison,  Rachel. 

Harbison,  Elizabeth  A. 

Harbison,  William. 

Harbison,  Thomas  A. 

Harbison,  Dorcas. 

Harmon,  Miss  Lucinda. 

Harmon,  Miss  Nancy. 

Harper,  James  Patterson. 

Henson,  Freeland. 

Henson,  Miss  Mary. 

Henson,  Dr.  J.  McKamie. 

Henson,  Mrs.  Sallie ;  wife  of  Freeland. 

Hilliard,  Simeon. 

Hof stetter,  Howard  McP. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


Hof stetter,  Mrs.  Ollie  M. ;  wife  of  Howard  McP. 

Holton,  E.  W. 

Holton,  Mrs.  E.  W. 

Howard,  W.  M.  D. ;  elder. 

Howard,  Martha  F. ;  wife  of  W.  M.  D. 

Howard,  Miss  Cecelia ;  married  Capt.  E.  J.  Kirksey. 

Howard,  H.  A. 

Howard,  Mrs.  Laura  Moore ;  wife  of  H.  A. 

Howard,  Miss  Leah  Moore. 

Howard,  H.  A.,  Jr. 

Howard,  Miss  Helen. 

Howard,  Miss  Hattie. 

Howard,  Samuel  Ben. 

Howard,  Laura  Cornelia. 

Houck,  Dr.  A.  S. 

Houck,  Mrs.  Margaret. 

Houck,  Miss  Amelia. 

Huet,  Florence  Marshall. 

Huet,  Barclay. 

Hull,  Mrs.  L.  M. 

Hunt,  Mrs.  Elizabeth. 

Hunt,  Miss  Atwood. 

Hunt,  Mrs,  Bessie  Pearson. 

Ingold,  A.  M. ;  deacon. 

J  arret,  Mr.  

Jarret,  Mrs.  1 — 

Janes,  Mrs.  Elzira. 

Jeter,  Mrs.  Nannie  Fleming ;  wife  of  Dr.  I.  P.  Jeter. 

Johnson,  Charles. 

Johnson,  Mrs.  Mary  T. 

J ohnson,  Miss  Elsie. 

Johnson,  Miss  Nellie  B. 

Johnson,  Luther. 

Johnson,  Charles  E. 

Johnston,  Mrs.  F.  H. 

Johnston,  Miss  M.  Grace. 

Jones,  Nancy. 


100 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Keever,  Mr.   

Keever,  Mrs.  —  

Kellog,  Miss  Elizabeth.  B. 

Kibler,  Mrs.  Jane  Duckworth;  wife  of  Martin  Kibler;  daughter 

of  John  Duckworth. 
Kistler,  Mrs.  Edna  Bartholdt. 
Kistler,  Andrew. 
Kistler,  Mrs.  Andrew. 
Knight,  Miss  Emma. 

Lackey,  Mrs.  Fannie  Warlick. 

Lafayette,  Lawrence. 

Laxton,  Lucy. 

Leslie,  W.  A. 

Linfleld,  Miss  Virginia. 

Lindsay,  Miss  Corrie. 

Lovin,  Mr.   

Lovin,  Mrs.   

Mabe,  W.  P. 
Mabe,  Mrs.  Eliza. 
Mabe,  Isaac. 

McAlpine,  Miss  Hope ;  married  E.  J.  Galloway. 

McAlpine,  Miss  Grace ;  married  E.  L.  Bell. 

McAlpine,  Mrs.  Susan  Moore ;  wife  of  A.  J.  McAlpine. 

McCampbell,  Mrs.  Maggie  T. ;  wife  of  Dr.  John  McCampbell. 

McConnaughey,  Mrs.  Anna  Erwin. 

McC'onnaughey,  Miss  Minnie. 

McConnaughey,  Miss  Laura. 

McConnaughey,  Miss  Kate. 

McConnaughey,  William  E. ;  deacon. 

McConnaughey,  Joseph ;  son  of  W.  E. 

McConnaugliey,  William  E.,  J r. 

McCormick,  Mrs.  Mary  Craige  Pearson. 

McCoy,  V.  P. 

McCoy,  

McCutclian,  Rev.  John ;  pastor. 

McCutchan,  Mrs.  Elizabeth ;  wife  of  Rev.  J ohn. 

McDowell,  Mrs.  Grace  Greenlee ;  wife  of  Col.  Chas.  McDowell. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


101 


McDowell,  General  Joseph. 

McDowell,  Mrs.  Margaret  Moffitt ;  wife  of  General  Joseph. 
McDowell,  Hugh. 

McDowell,  Mrs.  ;  wife  of  Hugh  McDowell. 

McDowell,  John. 

McDowell,  Mrs.  McD. ;  wife  of  John. 
McDowell,  Miss  C.  A. ;  wife  of  M.  Patton. 
McDowell,  Dr.  John  C. 
McDowell,  Miss  Margaret. 

McDowell,  Miss  Kate ;  married  D.  Y.  Newland. 

McDowell,  Miss  Lizzie. 

McDowell,  John  C,  Jr. 

McDowell,  Mrs.  Ettie;  wife  of  J.  C,  Jr. 

McDowell,  William  B. 

McDowell,  Frank. 

McDowell,  Miss  Annie ;  married  Dr.  E.  M.  Gayle. 
McDowell,  Elizabeth ;  married  E.  L.  Abernathy. 
McDowell,  Miss  Margaret ;  married  Marcus  Erwin. 
McElrath,  John ;  deacon. 

McElrath,  Mrs.  McDowell ;  first  wife  of  John. 

McElrath,  Mrs.  Mary  Patton  Bouchelle ;  second  wife  of  John. 
McElrath,  Robert  J. 

McElrath,  Margaret  McDowell ;  wife  of  Robert  J. 
McElrath,  David  A. 

McElrath,  Viney  (colored)  ;  servant  of  John  McElrath. 
McElrath,  Hannah. 

McGimpsey,  Miss  Cornelia ;  married  William  Avery. 
McGimpsey,  Miss  Ophelia ;  married  Dan  Carter. 
McGuire,  John 

McGuire,  Cynthia  Erwin ;  wife  of  John  McGuire. 

McGuire,  Edward. 

Mclntire,  William. 

Mclntire,  Mrs.  Clara  Erwin. 

Mclntire,  Viney  (colored). 

McKenzie,  Donald ;  deacon. 

McKenzie,  Mrs.  Mary  Minerva  Happoldt ;  wife  of  Donald  McK. 
McKesson,  James. 

McKesson,  Mrs.  Maria ;  wife  of  James. 

McKesson,  Mrs.  Margaret  McD. ;  wife  of  W.  F.  McKesson. 


102 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


McNeely,  Robert. 
McNeely,  Miss  Nancy. 
McNeely,  Mrs.  Naomie. 
McRae,  Miss  Emma. 
Mallard,  J.  C. ;  elder. 

Mallard,  Mrs,  Lucy  A. ;  wife  of  J.  C.  Mallard. 

Mallard,  William  S. 

Mallard,  Miss  Ida. 

Mallard,  Miss  Sarah. 

Mallard,  Miss  Mary  S. 

Mallard,  Miss  Delia. 

Marsh,  Mrs.  Caroline. 

Martin,  Mrs.  Lizzie. 

Martin,  J ohn. 

Massinger,  James  R. 

Massey,  Mrs.  Adeline  Lucinda. 

Michaels,  Sally. 

Michaux,  Eichard. 

Middleton,  Miss  Virginia. 

Miller,  Robert  Crayton. 

Miller,  Hugh. 

Miller,  Mary. 

Miller,  Mrs.  ;  died  April  4,  1831. 

Miller,  Mrs,  Robert  C. 
Miller,  Mrs.  Edward  Bryson. 

Miller,  Mrs.  Mabel  B.  Fisher ;  first  wife  of  John  Miller. 
Miller,  Mrs.  Edna  B. ;  second  wife  of  John  Miller. 
Milne,  Miss  Elizabeth;  married  William  B.  McDowell. 
Mills,  Miss  Julia. 
Mitchell,  Mary. 

Mitchell,  Mrs.  ;  died  April  4,  1831. 

Miller,  Barah. 

Mooney,  Mary. 

Moore,  W.  S. ;  elder. 

Moore,  Mary  A. 

Moore,  Mrs.  Mary  Summers. 

Moore,  Mrs.  Margaret  Montgomery. 

Moore,  E.  P. ;  elder. 

Moore,  Mrs.  E.  P. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  103 


Moore,  Samuel  B. 
Moore,  Mrs.  Ann  Wiley. 
Moore,  Charles  Anderson. 
Moore,  W.  M. 

Moore,  Miss  Laura ;  married  Hugh  Howard. 
Moran,  Dr.  George  H. ;  elder. 

Moran,  Mrs.  Sarah  Erwin ;  wife  of  Dr.  G.  H.  Moran. 
Moran,  Miss  Annie. 
Moran,  Miss  Mary. 
Moran,  Erwin. 
Murphy,  Dr.  P.  L. 

Murphy,  Mrs.  Betty  Bumgardner ;  wife  of  Dr.  P.  L.  Murphy. 
Murphy,  Miss  Mae. 
Morrison,  Thomas. 

Morrison,  Sallie  Duckworth ;  wife  of  Thomas  Morrison,  and 

daughter  of  John  Duckworth. 
Morrison,  Betsy;  married  Elijah  Hicks. 
Morrison,  Robert. 
Morrison,  Polly. 

Morrison,  Sally;  married  Hemphill. 

Morrison,  William ;  member  of  Legislature ;  Sheriff  who  had 
John  Sevier  in  custody  when  Sevier  escaped  at  Morganton. 

Morrison,  Mrs.  ;  wife  of  William  Morrison. 

Morrow,  Miss  Nora. 
Moses,  Miss  Mary. 

Mil,  William,  Sr.;  died  May  11,  1821. 
Weill,  Mrs.  William. 
Weill,  James. 

Weill,  Mrs.  — ■  Duckworth ;  wife  of  James. 

Weill,  ;  married  Robert  . 

Weill,  Thomas ;  elder. 

Weill,  Mrs.  ;  wife  of  Thomas. 

Weill,  William,  Jr. 
Weill,  Thomas. 
Weill,  Sarah  H. 
Weill,  Harriet. 
Weill,  Elizabeth. 
Weill,  Miss  Maggie. 


104 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Newland,  Miss  Margaret  McDowell. 
Nicol,  Miss  Marguerite. 

O'Neill,  Mrs.  ;  mother  of  J.  McK.  O'Neill. 

O'Neill,  Elizabeth ;  wife  of  J.  McK.  O'Neill. 

Parsons,  Mrs.  Cora. 
Parsons,  Miss  Eva. 
Parsons,  Miss  Annie. 
Patton,  Joseph. 

Patton,  Mrs.  Mary  Erwin ;  wife  of  Joseph  Patton. 

Pearsall,  Miss  Kate. 

Perry,  Miss  Florence. 

Pearson,  Elizabeth. 

Pearson,  Jane  Selina. 

Pearson,  Harriet. 

Pearson,  Mary  Cecelia. 

Pearson,  Dr.  Robert  C. 

Pearson,  Mrs.  Delia  Emma ;  wife  of  Dr.  R.  C.  Pearson. 
Pearson,  Mrs.  J ane  Sophronia ;  wife  of  R.  C.  Pearson,  Sr. 
Pearson,  Samuel  T. 

Pearson,  Nannie  Anderson ;  first  wife  of  S.  T.  Pearson. 

Pearson,  Mrs.  Esther  Ervin ;  second  wife  of  S.  T.  Pearson. 

Pearson,  Miss  Bessie ;  married  Atwood  Hunt. 

Pearson,  Miss  Ann  Elizabeth. 

Pearson,  Laura ;  married  Capt.  Neill  W.  Ray. 

Pearson,  Gaither. 

Pearson,  Robert  C. ;  son  of  Dr.  R,  C. 
Pearson,  William  H. ;  elder. 
Penland,  Robert ;  elder. 

Penland,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Brank ;  wife  of  Robert  Penland. 
Penland,  Henry ;  son  of  Robert. 

Penland,  Leah ;  daughter  of  Robert ;  married  John  Saulman. 
Perkins,  Miss  Eliz. ;  married  Edwin  Williams  of  Georgia. 
Perkins,  Melissa  Lavender ;  wife  of  J oseph  Perkins. 
Perkins,  Alfred ;  elder. 

Perkins,  Mrs.  Mary  Caldwell ;  wife  of  Alfred. 
Perkins,  Miss  Jane  Eliza. 
Perkins,  Capt.  E.  A. ;  elder. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


Perkins,  Robert  C. ;  elder. 

Perkins,  Miss  Mary ;  married  Harry  Kent. 

Perkins,  Miss  Lizzie ;  married  R.  L.  McConnaughey. 

Perkins,  Miss  Emma ;  married  Robert  Forney. 

Perkins,  Miss  Susie  Gordon. 

Phifer,  Dr.  E.  W. 

Phifer,  Mrs.  Sudie  Presnell ;  wife  of  Dr.  E.  W.  Pbife: 

Phifer,  Maude. 

Phifer,  Isaac  Avery. 

Pbifer,  Moulton  Avery. 

Pbifer,  Waightstill. 

Pbifer,  Robert. 

Pbifer,  Mary. 

Powell,  Catherine. 

Powell,  Cornelia. 

Presnell,  Miss  Mary ;  married  Logan  Carson. 
Presnell,  Robert  K. ;  elder. 
Presnell,  Mrs.  Susan ;  wife  of  R.  K. 
Presnell,  Miss  Annie  ;  married  J.  H.  Reid. 
Presnell,  J obn. 
Presnell,  Robert  G. 

Presnell,  Jennie  Weeta ;  married  F.  O.  Gee. 

Presnell,  Miss  Margaret ;  married  Moore. 

Presnell,  Miss  Mary  Burgin. 
Presnell,  Miss  Julia. 
Potts,  Miss  Julia. 

Query,  L.  H. 

Ramseur,  George ;  elder. 

Ramseur,  Mrs.  Annie  Forney. 

Reid,  E.  F. 

Reid,  J.  H. 

Rich,  Miss  Virginia. 

Ross,  Berry;  died  1843. 

Ross,  Betsy. 

Ross,  Stephen. 

Ross,  W.  A. ;  elder. 

Ross,  Mrs.  Fannie  Kistler ;  wife  of  W.  A.  Ross. 


106 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Ross,  Earl. 

Ross,  Dr.  Charles  E. 

Ross,  Miss  Katherine. 

Ross,  Miss  Martha. 

Ross,  Charles. 

Ross,  Robert  Alexander. 

Ross,  Miss  Alice. 

Ross,  William  J. 

Ross,  Miss  Rosa ;  married  Shotwell  Sudderth. 

Ross,  Miss  Annie  Lewis. 

Rusmisell,  Mrs.  Mary  McKenzie  Reeves. 

Scott,  Mrs.  Rebekah. 
Scott,  J ohn. 
Scott,  Mrs.  John. 
Scott,  Miss  Sarah  M. 
Scott,  Helen  H. 
Seigle,  Miss  Rosa. 
Seigle,  Lila  J ane. 

Sharpe,  Mrs.  Catharine  Reese;  wife  of  Col.  ¥m.  Sharpe;  died 

at  Belvidere  May  26,  1826,  aged  80. 
Sheetz,  Rev.  W.  C. 

Sheetz,  Mrs.  L.  Morton ;  wife  of  Rev.  W.  C.  Sheetz. 
Sheetz,  Miss  Mortie ;  married  Drew  Collins. 
Sheetz,  Miss  Julia ;  married  E.  F.  Reid. 
Sheetz,  Miss  Catherine ;  married  W.  C.  Ervin. 
Sherman,  Mrs.  Mary  J. 
Sherman,  Miss  Claude. 
Sherman,  Miss  Martha. 
Shuping,  Alexander. 
Silliman,  Rev.  John ;  pastor. 

Silliman,  Mrs.  Julia ;  wife  of  Rev.  John  Silliman. 

Silver,  Alphonso  C. 

Simpson,  Mrs.  Mahala. 

Smallwood,  Ann. 

Smith,  Miss  Maud. 

Smith,  Merle. 

Smith,  Mrs.  Lula  Ethel. 

Smythe,  Mrs.  Jane  Caldwell ;  married  Major  J.  C.  Smythe. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton  107 


Spainhour,  Mrs.  Laura  Forney. 
Spainhour,  Ed. 
Spainhour,  Ralph. 
Sprague,  Henry. 
Sprague,  H.  B. 
Sprague,  Mrs.  H.  B. 
Sorrels,  Nancy. 
Starke,  James  Edward. 

Starke,  Mrs.  Betsy  Sharpe ;  daughter  of  Col.  ¥m.  Sharpe. 
Stevelie,  John  H. ;  elder. 

Tate,  Miss  Elizabeth;  died  1842. 
Tate,  Miss  J ane  Sophronia ;  married  R.  C.  Pearson. 
Tate,  Mrs.  Elizabeth;  wife  of  Dr.  Samuel  Tate. 
Tate,  Margaret. 

Tate,  Fatima  E. ;  died  December,  1855. 

Tate,  Elizabeth ;  died  February  29,  1841. 

Tate,  Sarah. 

Tate,  Dr.  W.  C. ;  elder. 

Tate,  Dr.  William  S. 

Tate,  Miss  M.  C. 

Tate,  Miss  Catherine. 

Tate,  Miss  Morton ;  wife  of  W.  S. 

Tate,  Col.  Samuel  McD. 

Tate,  Mrs.  Jane  S. ;  wife  of  Col.  S.  McD.  Tate. 

Tate,  Miss  Claude. 

Tate,  Miss  Susan. 

Tate,  Miss  Wilhelmina. 

Tate,  Miss  Irene. 

Tate,  Gordon. 

Taylor,  Mrs.  Sue  W. 

Taylor,  Mrs.  Laura, 

Taylor,  Miss  Eloise. 

Taylor,  Erasmus. 

Taylor,  Miss  Elizabeth. 

Taylor,  Miss  Sarah  Cole. 

Taylor,  Jordan  (colored). 

Thomason,  J.  T. 

Thompson,  Alice. 


108 


Presbyterian  Churches  at 


Thompson,  Mrs.  Mary  Martha. 
Throgmorton,  Martha. 
Tull,  Elizabeth. 
Tull,  Miss  Julia. 
Tull,  John. 
Tull,  Joseph. 

Tull,  Miss  Julia ;  married  Mr.  Walker. 
Tull,  Isaac. 
Tull,  John,  Jr. 
Tull,  Charles  W. 
Turner,  Mrs.  Fred. 

Vance,  David;  elder. 

Wade,  Thomas. 
Walker,  Mrs,  Nancy  J. 
Walton,  Thomas. 
Walton,  Martha. 
Walton,  William  E. 

Walton,  Mrs.  Mamie  Moore ;  wife  of  W.  E.  Walton. 

Walton,  Harry  Moore. 

Walton,  Miss  Eva. 

Walker,  Leonard  Hayes. 

Warlick,  Capt,  P.  A. 

Warlick,  Catherine  K. ;  wife  of  P.  A. 

Webb,  Mrs.  Lloyd  E. 

Webber,  Louis  J. 

Webber,  Mrs.  Louis  J. 

Whisenhant,  Sophia. 

Whisenhant,  Harvey  T. 

Whisenhant,  Sarah  E. 

Whisenhant,  Mrs.  F.  Emma. 

Whisenhant,  Michael ;  elder. 

Wilson,  Pev.  J.  McKenzie ;  pastor. 

Wilson,  Mrs.  Mary  Erwin ;  wife  of  Rev.  J.  McK.  Wilson. 
Wilson,  Pev.  D.  A. ;  missionary. 
Wilson,  John. 

Wilson,  Pev.  J.  M.,  Jr. ;  pastor. 

Wilson,  Mrs.  Delphia  Fox ;  wife  of  J.  M.,  Jr. 


Quaker  Meadows  and  Morganton 


109 


Wilson,  Miss  Mary  Ann ;  married  Dr.  Robert  Tate. 
Wilson,  Mrs.  Louisa ;  wife  of  J.  W.  Wilson. 
Wilson,  Miss  Mary  Willis;  married  Major  Bomar. 
Wilson,  Miss  Alice ;  married  Herbert  Battle. 
Wilson,  Miss  Louise ;  married  Dr.  Gibbon. 
Wilson,  Miss  Beulah;  married  Jenkins  Hutcbinson. 
Wilson,  Miss  Cora  ;  married  Mr.  Massey. 
Wilson,  Miss  L.  E. 
Wilson,  Alexander. 

Wilson,  Mrs.  Hallie;  wife  of  A.  L.  Wilson. 

Wilson,  Claudia  Cordelia. 

Wilson,  George  W. 

Worth,  Stevie  G. 

Worth,  Mrs,  Lovie. 

Wortman,  Mrs.  J.  R. 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Alexander  Family   90 

Alexander,  Samuel,  sketch  of   73 

Alexander,  James,  sketch  of   82 

Alexander,  Davis,  mentioned   74 

Anderson  Family    91 

Anderson,  Rev.  R.  B.,  sketch  of   38 

Anderson,  Mrs.  Jennie  T.,  mentioned   40 

Anderson,  Rev.  R.  C,  mentioned   66 

Avery  Family    91 

Avery,  Waightstill,  mentioned   89 

Avery,  Alphonso  C,  sketch  of   87 

Avery,  Alphonso  C,  ordained  elder   44 

Avery,  I.  T.,  ordained  elder   65 

Avery,  I.  T.,  ordained  deacon   51 

Avery,  Mrs.  Harriet  E.,  mentioned   37 

Avery,  Mrs.  Cornelia,  mentioned   35 

Archer  Family   91 

Archer,  T.  V.,  ordained  elder   65 

Bell  Family    92 

Bell,  E.  L.,  ordained  deacon   64 

Beall,  Dr.  L.  G.,  ordained  deacon   65 

Branck,  Peter,  mentioned   71 

Branck,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  mentioned   71 

Black  Family    92 

Boger  Family   92 

Boger,  J.  Derr,  ordained  deacon   65 

Bynum,  John  G.,  ordained  elder   47 

Camp  Family                                                                           .  93 

Carter  Family    93 

Carter,  Miss  Ophelia,  mentioned   64 

Causby  Family    93 

Chaffee  Family   93 

Chambers  Family   93 

Chapman  Family    93 

Colton  Family    93 

Cornelson,  Rev.  Dr.,  mentioned   66 

Corpening  Family    94 

Dickson  Family    94 

Dickson,  J.  A.,  ordained  deacon   47 

Dickson,  J.  A.,  ordained  elder   65 

Doak,  Rev.   ,  mentioned   66 

Duckworth  Family   94 

Duckworth,  John,  sketch  of   70 

Duckworth,  John,  mentioned   69 

Edge  Family    94 

Edge,  Rev.  Walter  W.,  sketch  of   60 

Eddy,  Rev.  Chauncey,  sketch  of   14 

Eddy,  Rev.  Chauncey,  ordained  to  the  ministry   15 

Eddy  and  Silliman  School,  sketch  of   17 

Ervin  Family   95 

Ervin,  Samuel  J.,  ordained  elder   65 


Index 

PAGE 

Erwin  Family    95 

Erwin,  Mrs.  Sarah  Robinson,  mentioned   73 

Erwin,  Arthur,  mentioned    75 

Erwin,  William  W.,  sketch  of   75 

Erwin,  Adolphus  L.,  sketch  of   79 

Erwin,  Edward  Jones,  sketch  of   80 

Erwin,  Edward  Jones,  ordained  elder   31 

Erwin,  George  Phifer,  sketch  of   85 

Erwin,  George  P.,  ordained  elder   47 

Fife,  Elder  W.  P.,  mentioned   48 

Fleming  Family    96 

Foister  Family    96 

Forney  Family    96 

Forney,  Walter,  deacon   97 

Forney,  Charles  D.,  ordained  deacon   65 

Fox  Family    97 

Fox,  L.  C,  deacon   97 

Gaither  Family    97 

Gaither,  Mrs.  Catharine,  mentioned   33 

Gash  Family    97 

Giles  Family    97 

Giles,  John,  elder   97 

Gilmer   Family    97 

Gilmer,  John  A.,  ordained  elder   47 

Grady  Family    97 

Grady,  Elijah,  ordained  elder   31 

Gregory,  Rev.  C.  E.,  sketch  of   67 

Gregory,  Mrs.  C.  E.,  mentioned   67 

Greenlee  Family  . ,   98 

Guerrant,  Rev.  Dr.,  mentioned  50,  57 

Happoldt  Family    98 

Harbison  Family    98 

Harbison,  John,  elected  elder   23 

Harbison,  John,  ordained  deacon   31 

Henson  Family    98 

Hoffstetter  Family    98 

Hollingsworth,  Rev.  W.  F.,  sketch  of   62 

Hollingsworth,  Mrs.  W.  F.,  mentioned   64 

Howard  Family    98 

Howard,  W.  M.  D.,  elder,  removed  to  Drusilla   38 

Howard,  Mrs.  Laura   99 

Houck  Family    99 

Ingold,  A.  M.,  ordained  deacon   65 

Jacobs,  Rev.  Thornwell,  sketch  of   55 

Jarret  Family    99 

Jeter  Family    99 

Johnson  Family    99 

Johnston,  Rev.  T.  D.,  mentioned   60 

Keever  Family    100 

Kerr,  Rev.  James,  sketch  of   30 

Kibler  Family    100 

Kistler  Family    100 

Lackey,  Mrs.  Fannie  Warlick   100 

Lawrence,  Lafayette    100 

Laxton,  Lucy    100 

Leslie,  W.  A   100 


Index 


PAGE 


List  of  Members    89 

Mabe  Family   100 

Marion,  Rev.  J.  P.,  sketch  of   47 

McAlpine  Family    100 

McCampbell  Family    100 

McConnaughey  Family    100 

McConnaughey,  William  E.,  deacon   100 

McCoy  Family   100 

McCutchan  Family    100 

McCutchan,  Rev.  John  C,  sketch  of   22 

McDowell  Family    100 

McElrath  Family    101 

McElrath,  John,  ordained  deacon   31 

McEntire  Family    101 

McEntire,  William,  elected  elder   23 

McEntire,  Mrs.  Clara,  mentioned   36 

McGimpsey  Family   101 

McGuire  Family   101 

McKenzie  Family    101 

McKenzie,  Donald,  ordained  deacon   51 

McKesson   Family    101 

McNeely  Family    102 

Mallard  Family    102 

Mallard,  J.  C,  elder   102 

Marsh  Family    102 

Martin  Family    102 

Massey  Family    102 

Middleton  Family   :   102 

Miller  Family    102 

Milne  Family    102 

Mitchell  Family    102 

Moore  Family    102 

Moore,  W.  S.,  sketch  of   80 

Moore,  W.  S.,  ordained  elder   80 

Moore,  E.  P.,  elder   102 

Morganton  Presbytery  '   27 

Moran  Family    103 

Moran,  Dr.  George  H.,  sketch  of   84 

Moran,  Dr.  George  H,  ordained  elder   51 

Morrison  Family    103 

Morrison,   Sheriff   William   103 

Murphy  Family    103 

Neill  Family    103 

Neill,  Thomas,  sketch  of   83 

Neill,  Thomas,  ordained  elder   31 

Old  Presbyterian  camp-meetings   18 

Old  church  used  as  auditorium  for  political  discussions   21 

Parsons  family    104 

Patton  Family    104 

Pearsall,  Miss  Kate   104 

Pearson  Family   104 

Pearson,  William  H.,  ordained  elder   47 

Penland  Family    104 

Penland,  Henry,  mentioned   72 

Penland,  Robert,  sketch  of   70 

Penland,  Robert,  mentioned  as  soldier   71 


Index 


PAGE 


Perkins  Family   104 

Perkins,  Alfred,  sketch  of   78 

Perkins,  Capt.  E.  A.,  sketch  of   81 

Perkins,  Robert  C,  sketch  of   82 

Perkins,  R.  C,  ordained  deacon   44 

Phifer  Family   .   105 

Plan  and  Scope  of  Sketches   69 

Powell  Family   105 

Presnell  Family    105 

Presnell,  Robert  K.,  sketch  of   88 

Presnell,  Robert  K.,  ordained  elder   42 

Ramseur  Family    105 

Ramseur,  George,  elder   105 

Reid  Family   105 

Reid,  E.  F.,  ordained  deacon   47 

Rose,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  McNeill,  sketch  of   51 

Ross  Family    105 

Ross,  W.  A.,  ordained  deacon   47 

Ross,  W.  A.,  ordained  elder   51 

Ross,  Dr.  C.  E.,  ordained  deacon   64 

Rusmisell,  Mrs.  Mary  McK.  R.,  mentioned   64 

Scott  Family   106 

Sharpe,  Mrs.  Catharine  Reese   106 

Sheetz  Family   106 

Sheetz,  Rev.  W.  C,  sketch  of   34 

Sheetz,  Mrs.  Lavinia,  mentioned   34 

Sherman   Family   106 

Shives,  Rev.        ,  mentioned  ,   66 

Shuping  Family    106 

Sketches  of  elders  at  Quaker  Meadows  and  Morgan  ton   69 

Silliman  Family   106 

Silliman,  Rev.  John,  sketch  of   15 

Silliman,  Rev.  John,  further  notice  of  labors  of   20 

Silliman,  Mrs.  John,  mentioned   17 

Smith,  Family    106 

Smythe  Family   :   106 

Sorrells   Family   107 

Spainhour  Family    107 

Sprague  Family    107 

Stevelie,  John  H.,  sketch  of   77 

Tate  Family    107 

Tate,  Col.  Samuel  McD.,  mentioned   42 

Tate,  Dr.  W.  C,  sketch  of   83 

Taylor  Family   107 

Thompson  Family    107 

Thornwell,  Rev.  Dr.,  mentioned   56 

Tull  Family    108 

Vance,  David,  sketch  of   74 

Walton  Family    108 

Walton,  Thomas,  mentioned   89 

Whisenhant  Family    108 

Whisenhant,   Michael,   elder   108 

Wilson,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  McKamie,  Sr.,  sketch  of   10 

Wilson,  Mrs.  J.  McKamie,  Sr.,  mentioned.....   11 

Wilson,  Rev.  John  McKamie,  Jr.,  sketch  of   33 

Wilson,  Major  James  W.,  mentioned   42 

Wright,  Rev.  Dr.,  Evangelist,  mentioned   64 


i 


DATE  DUE 


DEMC  O  38-297 

